As a parent, you want to make informed decisions for your child's health, education, and well-being. But how can you tell if the sources you rely on are accurate, reliable, and trustworthy? Here are some tips on how to fact-check parenting sources and avoid misinformation, myths, and scams.
The first thing to look for is the author of the source. Who are they, what are their credentials, and what is their agenda? Do they have relevant expertise, experience, or education in the topic they are writing about? Are they affiliated with any reputable organizations, institutions, or publications? Are they transparent about their sources, methods, and conflicts of interest? If the author is unknown, anonymous, or biased, you should be skeptical of their claims and motives.
The second thing to check is the date of the source. When was it published or updated, and is it still relevant and current? Parenting advice and research can change over time, as new discoveries, trends, and policies emerge. For example, the recommendations for safe sleep, immunization, and screen time have evolved in recent years. If the source is outdated, outdated, or inconsistent with the latest evidence and guidelines, you should look for more updated and accurate information.
Safe sleep is a great example of the importance of checking the date of the information. When my baby was just a few weeks old and wouldn't sleep if I wasn't holding her, an elder in my family insisted that I put baby to sleep on her tummy as that can soothe her. My worry was that a 3 week old baby's neck muscles aren't active to the point where they can turn at will so they might end up suffocating. There are lots of tried and tested ways to rear a little one up and it's easy to fall into an inferiority complex as a first time mom, taking in every piece of advice from everyone who gives it. The safest is to check if the said practice is still safe to implement.
The third thing to check is the evidence that supports the source. What kind of data, studies, or references does the source use to back up its claims and arguments? Are they credible, verifiable, and peer-reviewed? Are they cited properly and linked to the original sources? Are they consistent with other reputable sources and experts in the field? If the source is based on anecdotal, personal, or unscientific evidence, or if it contradicts or ignores the consensus of the scientific community, you should question its validity and quality.
The fourth thing to check is the logic of the source. How does the source present its information, arguments, and conclusions? Does it use clear, coherent, and objective language? Does it avoid logical fallacies, such as hasty generalizations, false dilemmas, or straw man arguments? Does it acknowledge different perspectives, limitations, and uncertainties? Does it address potential counterarguments, objections, or questions? If the source is vague, confusing, or biased, or if it uses emotional, sensationalist, or misleading language, you should be wary of its reasoning and credibility.
I think there could be a whole research paper on this topic as it correlates to traditional African child rearing practices. From the prescribed Lennon medicines (those that come in the small yellow boxes) to just about everything around the arrival of a baby in an African home. Most of the practices (though well intending) come from a place of fear and can be overwhelming to first time parents. It's fitting to say "take everything you hear with pinch of salt."
The fifth thing to check is the reviews of the source. What do other people think of the source, its author, and its content? How do they rate, comment, or review it on various platforms, such as social media, blogs, or podcasts? Are they positive, negative, or mixed? Are they respectful, constructive, and civil? Are they from real, verified, and diverse users or readers? If the source has no reviews, or if it has only glowing or negative reviews, or if it has reviews that are spammy, fake, or abusive, you should be cautious of its reputation and reliability.
The sixth thing to check is the alternatives to the source. What other sources are available on the same or similar topics, and how do they compare or contrast with the source you are evaluating? Are they more or less credible, relevant, and comprehensive? Do they agree or disagree with the source, and why? Do they offer different or additional insights, perspectives, or recommendations? By comparing and contrasting different sources, you can get a broader and deeper understanding of the topic, and make more informed and balanced decisions for your parenting.
I've found another great source of insight to come from my lived experience with my child. Studying their behaviors, learning from the cues that are presented to you and accepting that our beloved Google won't have the answers to everything. It's a journey that you must take one step at a time and though helpful, the internet can't always be a cheat sheet to hack or understand all circumstances.