How to Teach Teens Media Literacy & Critical Thinking with Carl Azuz

In this episode, former CNN anchor Carl Azuz joins Dr. Cam to explore how to teach teens media literacy and critical thinking in today's news-driven world. Carl shares strategies for helping teens navigate bias, develop independent opinions, and manage anxiety caused by negative news. They discuss the importance of fostering open conversations, promoting respectful discourse, and exposing teens to diverse perspectives to encourage empathy and tolerance. Learn how to help your teen separate fact from opinion, engage in thoughtful discussions, and gain a broader understanding of the world around them.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• How to teach your teen to fact-check and recognize bias in media
• The impact of the news on teen anxiety and how to alleviate it
• Why open, respectful conversations about tough topics are vital
• The importance of exposing your teen to multiple perspectives to broaden their views
• How to shift the focus from negative news to solutions and positive stories

  5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

• Teach teens to seek information from multiple sources to avoid bias and develop critical thinking.
• Engage in open conversations, modeling respectful discussions and encouraging them to form their own opinions.
• Highlight positive stories and solutions to counteract anxiety from negative news.
• Expose teens to a variety of news topics and perspectives to foster empathy and understanding.
• Focus on starting with the facts, then exploring different perspectives without bias.

 

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• The World from A to Z with Carl Azuz

  EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction and Carl Azuz’s Background 03:02 - Teaching Media Literacy & Critical Thinking 08:00 - Navigating Bias & Multiple Perspectives 13:04 - Open Conversations & Respectful Behavior 18:08 - Alleviating Anxiety & Fear in Teens 23:46 - Widening World Perspectives & Fostering Gratitude

 

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Carl Azuz

• Website: www.theworldfromatoz.com
• X (Twitter): @CarlAzuzCNN

  CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• TikTok: @the.teen.translator
• YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
• Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

 

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Cam (00:02.039)

Are your teens overwhelmed by today's chaotic news cycle? Do you wonder how to help them separate fact from opinion in a world full of bias? Today, we've got Carl Azuz, former CNN 10 anchor and new creator of the world from A to Z. Here to share how we can teach our teens media literacy, civil discourse, and critical thinking. So let's dive in. Carl, welcome to the show.

 

Carl Azuz (00:26.594)

Hey, it's fantastic being here with you, Dr. Cam. Thank you for having me on.

 

Dr. Cam (00:30.161)

Absolutely. let's start. You were on CNN for a while and then you have started the world from A to Z. Can you tell us a little bit about that first and how did that become in how did t