Is Reddit dangerous? Will Facebook rot our brains? Are memes ruining the world? Of course not. But it is important to understand how today’s digital world works in order to stay safe and informed. This is a workshop designed for learners (and their parents) to have a better grasp on what today’s media landscape looks like, how it works, and what you can do to feed your head trustworthy information.

The workshop will include a presentation covering the history of digital technology and Silicon Valley, the rise of platforms like Google and Amazon, and the impact of such technology on everyday users. I will pay specific attention to the relationship between online media (like memes, listicles, and tweets), the structure of these platforms, and the growing concerns around misinformation and political polarization. From here I will turn to expert-recommended habits of fact-checking and critical thinking. I invite comments and questions during the presentation, and will conclude by welcoming free discussion and sharing.