Teaching Kids About Rumors
My daughter is discovering a lesson I didn’t fully grasp until much later in life: being a good friend isn’t just about kindness—it’s also about respect. Part of that respect is understanding that gossip, whether it’s talking about someone else or repeating secondhand information, can cause harm. Together, we’ve been learning what it means to be a true friend and the kind of friend she wants to be.
Rumors can spread quickly—on the playground, in the classroom, and even online. For kids, it can be hard to tell the difference between sharing a story and spreading a rumor. That’s why it’s important to give them tools to recognize what a rumor is, how to identify one, and why choosing not to spread it matters.
What Is a Rumor?
A rumor is a story or piece of information that hasn’t been proven true. It’s often passed from one person to another, getting bigger or changing along the way.
How to Identify a Rumor
Encourage your kids to pause and ask themselves these questions before repeating something they’ve heard:
✅ Is this true?
✅ Do I know this first-hand, or did I hear it from someone else?
✅ Did it come directly from the person involved?
✅ Could this hurt someone if I share it?
✅ How would I feel if this story were about me?
✅ Does sharing this help or hurt others?
These quick checks help kids slow down and think critically before passing along information.
- Rumors can hurt feelings. Even if the story isn’t true, hearing it can still sting and leave someone feeling embarrassed, excluded, or unsafe.
- Rumors break trust. Friendships are built on respect and honesty. When kids realize others are talking behind their back, it can damage relationships and make it harder to feel safe opening up in the future.
- Rumors grow fast. Like a snowball rolling downhill, rumors often get bigger, messier, and less accurate with each retelling. A simple way to show kids this is by playing a game of telephone—compare the first piece of information with the last, and notice how much it changes.
- Rumors live online. In today’s world of social media, one careless post or share can spread faster than wildfire. And once it’s out there, it can’t be taken back. Helping kids pause and think before they share is more important than ever.
- Kindness matters. Choosing not to spread a rumor is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to practice empathy and respect. Remind kids: words can hurt, but they can also heal—when we choose kindness, we help make the world safer for everyone.