In today’s hyper-connected Philippines, Gen Zs and young millennials are not just digital natives; they are the frontline users of a digital media landscape where content is endless, but truth is often elusive.

From TikTok explainers to viral tweets, information comes in waves and torrents, often without context or clarity. And while Gen Zs and Millennials pride themselves on being socially aware and “woke”, even the smartest among us can fall prey to cleverly manipulated narratives, fake news, or emotionally-charged disinformation.

So how do we stay sharp without getting overwhelmed?

Critical thinking is the answer and it is not some boring school concept to be learned in senior high school. In this age of misinformation, disinformation, manipulated narratives, fake news, and increasingly, AI-generated content, critical thinking is becoming a survival skill.

How do we get Gen Zs and Millennials build a “BS detector” in this media and content landscape? I did some Googling to come up with some suggestions and I distilled them into potential three things that I think can be very useful.

Question the Vibe, Not Just the Content

That TikTok video might look convincing and that meme might feel true — but ask yourself: What emotion is this trying to provoke? Manipulated narratives often rely less on facts and more on feels. If something instantly makes you angry, scared, or overly amazed, pause. Take a breath and ask: Where is this coming from? Who benefits if I believe this? Sino ang makikinabang if I believe this piece of content and I share it to my friends? Fake news is designed to bypass logic and trigger your emotional autopilot. Train yourself to check the intent as much as the content. This is the first — and often most important — step in critical thinking.

Curate Your Feed Like You Curate Your Closet

Think of your social feed as your digital wardrobe. You would not wear the same shirt every day, so why read the same kind of post from the same type of account? Echo chambers form when we only follow people who think like us.

Try this: Once a week, follow one credible source outside your usual bubble — for example, content from science pages, local journalists and social commentators, fact-check groups, educators from reputable universities, and even individuals from the “other side”. Diversifying your feed doesn’t mean following accounts you disagree with just to argue; it means giving yourself a fuller picture of the world. When you see different angles, your mind learns to weigh perspectives instead of just absorbing opinions.

Make Fact-Checking a Shared Habit

Let’s face it: Nobody likes the “KJ/killjoy” in the group who always corrects the fun viral post. But what if we flipped that mindset? Fact-checking can be collaborative, even fun. Start a simple group rule: Before anyone shares a sensational story or shocking screenshot, they should check one reliable source and say, “Not sure if legit, but here’s what I found”. Turn it into a social habit: Swap gossip for Google or reading the news. When critical thinking becomes part of your circle’s culture, it spreads — and it sticks.

In a country where content spreads faster than context, being smart online is more than a flex — it is a civic responsibility. One does not need a journalism degree to be discerning. All one needs is curiosity, courage, and a commitment to thinking deeper.

Because if we want a future built on truth, we have to start by practicing it every day — one scroll, one share, one question at a time.