Making Sensible Choices: Becoming a Smart Thinker!

Hello super students!

Have you ever seen an ad for a super-cool toy and thought, "I HAVE to get that!"? Or read something online and wondered if it was real? We all have!

In these notes, we're going to become Choice Detectives! We will learn how to understand the messages we see on TV, the internet, and in ads. This is a very important skill because it helps us make smart and sensible choices for ourselves. Let's get started!

Where Does Information Come From? The World of Media!

We get information from many places. The places that share information with lots of people are called media.

Think about all the media you see every day:

  • Television shows and movies
  • YouTube videos and TikToks
  • Advertisements (on TV, online, and in magazines)
  • Websites and social media like Facebook or Instagram
  • Video games and apps on a phone or tablet

Media is all around us, and it’s sending us messages all the time!

Did you know?

The average kid can see dozens or even hundreds of advertisements in just one day! That's a lot of messages trying to get your attention.

Key Takeaway

Media is how information is shared with many people. We see and hear it everywhere, from our favourite TV shows to games on our phones.


What Are the Messages in Media?

Media messages are not always just for fun. They are created for a reason. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, it's easy once you know what to look for!

Most messages have one of three goals:

1. To Inform: To give you facts and information.
Example: A news report telling you it will be sunny tomorrow.

2. To Entertain: To be fun and enjoyable.
Example: Your favourite cartoon or a funny animal video.

3. To Persuade: To try and make you do, buy, or believe something. This is what advertisements (or ads) do!
Example: An ad for a new cereal that says it’s the "tastiest breakfast ever!" to persuade you to buy it.

Let's be Ad Detectives! When you see an ad, ask these questions:

  1. What do I SEE? Are there bright colours? Happy, smiling people? Famous cartoon characters?
  2. What do I HEAR? Is there catchy music? Exciting sound effects? Words like "New!", "Amazing!", or "Limited Edition!"?
  3. What does the ad WANT me to do? It usually wants you to ask your parents to buy something!
Quick Review Box

Remember the 3 goals of media:
Inform - Gives facts.
Entertain - Is fun.
Persuade - Tries to convince you (like an ad!).

Key Takeaway

Media sends messages to inform, entertain, or persuade. Advertisements are messages that try to persuade us to buy things.


How Media Affects Our Choices

Those persuasive messages in ads can have a big impact on us. They can change what we want to buy, how we think, and what we feel is important.

Impact on Consumption (What We Buy)

Consumption is just a fancy word for buying and using things. Ads are designed to make you want to consume more.

Imagine an ad shows a girl who becomes super popular after getting new sparkly shoes. The hidden message is: "If you buy these shoes, you'll be popular too!"

This makes us want things we don't really need. Being a wise consumer means thinking carefully before you buy.

Impact on Mindset and Values

Media can also affect our mindset (how we think) and our values (what we believe is important).

  • Mindset: Seeing ads for new phones all the time might make you think, "I need the newest phone to be cool."
  • Values: If every show and ad is about having expensive things, it might make you feel that having lots of stuff is the most important value.
The S.M.A.R.T. Choice Checklist!

Here is a simple trick to help you make sensible choices. Before you decide you want something you saw in the media, be S.M.A.R.T.!

  • S - Stop: Just pause for a minute before asking for it.
  • M - Message: What is the ad's real message? What is it trying to make me feel?
  • A - Ask: Do I really need this, or do I just want it? Is it useful?
  • R - Reason: What is the real reason I want it? Is it just because it looked cool in the ad?
  • T - Talk: Talk to a parent or a trusted grown-up about it. They can help you decide!
Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Believing everything you see. Remember, the burger in the ad always looks much better than the real one!
- Thinking a product will change your life. A new toy is fun, but it won't magically give you superpowers.
- Feeling bad if you don't have what's in the ads. Your happiness doesn't come from things!

Key Takeaway

Media can make us want to buy things (consumption), change how we think (mindset), and affect what's important to us (values). Use the S.M.A.R.T. checklist to make sensible choices!


Being Smart Online: Not All Information is True!

The internet, social media, and messaging apps are amazing tools. But we have to be extra careful, because anyone can post information online, and some of it might not be true, accurate, or kind.

Think of the internet like a huge notice board where anyone in the world can pin up a poster. Some posters have helpful facts, but others might be silly, wrong, or even mean.

How to Check Information Online

It's our job to be good digital citizens and process information carefully. Here's how:

  1. Think Before You Believe: If something sounds too amazing or shocking to be true (like "Scientists discover unicorns are real!"), it probably isn't.
  2. Think Before You Share: Never forward or share messages that are unkind, embarrassing, or seem like gossip. Rejecting and refusing to forward bad information is a very strong and sensible choice.
  3. Ask a Grown-Up: This is the number one rule! If you see something online that makes you feel confused, worried, or unsure, always, always show it to a parent or teacher. They are there to help you.

Being safe and smart online is the best way to enjoy all the wonderful things the internet can offer!

Key Takeaway

Process information online carefully. Not everything is true. Think before you believe or share, and always ask a trusted adult if you are unsure.


Your Superpowers for Making Sensible Choices!

Congratulations, you are now officially a Choice Detective! You have learned amazing new skills. Let's review your new superpowers:

  • You know what media is and can spot messages that try to persuade you.
  • You understand how media can affect your choices about what to buy and how to think.
  • You have the S.M.A.R.T. Choice Checklist to help you think before you act.
  • You know how to be careful with information online and to ask for help.

Keep practicing these skills every day. The more you use them, the smarter and more sensible your choices will be. You've got this!