Is that a Fact?: Today's Resiliency Play of the Day

Social media is a fun tool that keeps us connected with the people we care about, whether near or far.
Today’s Resiliency Play of the Day from the Ripken Playbook features an activity from the I’m GREAT program. Through this activity, you’ll learn to better differentiate between facts and opinions to safely navigate social media platforms and avoid harming others online.

Is That a Fact?

Materials

• Fact and Opinion cards
  • If you are not able to print these out, you can use a piece of paper to create your own
• Scissors 

Let’s Begin!

1. With a partner, discuss the difference between a fact and an opinion.  
2. Using your “Fact and Opinion” cards, you and your partner will decide whether the statement on the card is a fact, opinion, or if you need more information to make an informed decision.
3. Then you will divide the cards into three piles:
   1. Fact 
   2. Opinion
   3. Need more information 

Now discuss the following questions!

1. How can you tell if something is a fact or opinion? 
2. What makes it difficult to decide if something is a fact or an opinion online? 
3. Did you always agree with your partner on which cards were facts and which were opinions? 
4. If you are not sure if something is a fact, what can you do both in real life and on social media? 
5. Why is it important to know whether something is a fact? 
6. How can sharing false information hurt others in real life and on social media? 
7. How can you be a more responsible social media user?

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