Have you ever asked yourself, in a world shaped by social media, algorithms and constant information, how do we know if our children have the skills to think critically, recognise misinformation and think for themselves?
In this episode, I am joined by Dr Maree Davies, a researcher and senior lecturer based at the University of Auckland, whose work focuses on critical thinking and how young people engage with information in an increasingly complex digital world.
Her research explores how students develop the ability to question, evaluate and form reasoned judgements, particularly in the context of modern challenges such as social media, algorithms and misinformation. She is especially interested in how these skills can be taught explicitly, rather than assumed within education.
Dr Davies is also the author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers, published by Routledge, a book that offers a structured and practical approach to developing critical thinking skills in young people. She introduces the Street Smarts model, designed to help students navigate information, think independently and engage more thoughtfully with the world around them.
In this conversation, we explore what critical thinking really involves, why it has become such an essential skill today, and how parents and educators can support young people in developing it.
🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:
✅ What critical thinking actually means
✅ Why teenagers can be vulnerable to fake news and misinformation
✅ How social media algorithms influence thinking and decision-making
✅ What is happening in the adolescent brain during this key stage of development
✅ How to recognise cognitive bias and flawed thinking patterns
✅ Practical ways to help your child think independently and form their own views
✅ How the Street Smarts model can be applied at home and in education
Whether your child is navigating social media, forming opinions or learning how to think more independently, this episode will give you the tools to better understand and support their thinking in a complex digital world.
🔗 Links & Resources
Research & University Profile - https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/mj-davies
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maree-davies-22a39411/
Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers Book
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https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/
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