Have you ever heard something from a friend that sounded a little strange, like, “Cats can talk if you listen closely at midnight”? It might sound fun or exciting, but is it true? This is why checking where information comes from—called “checking your sources”—is so important.

When we hear or read something new, especially online, we should always ask, "Who said this?" and "How do they know it’s true?" Not everything we see, hear, or read is correct. Some people might guess, joke, or even make things up on purpose. If we don’t check the source, we might end up believing something silly—or even something that could hurt someone’s feelings or cause confusion.

Let’s say you read online that eating only candy makes you super strong. That sounds awesome, right? But if you check a trusted source—like a doctor, a teacher, or a science book—you’ll find out that eating only candy is not healthy at all. You need a mix of fruits, veggies, and other foods to stay strong. That’s why checking your source helps you find the truth.

Now, here’s where “the madness of crowds” comes in. Sometimes, when a lot of people believe something—even if it’s not true—others start to believe it too, just to fit in. This is called “the madness of crowds.” It means following the group without stopping to ask, “Is this right?” or “Do I have proof?” Kids can be brave by thinking for themselves and asking questions instead of just going along with what everyone else says.

Imagine a group of kids on the playground saying, “If you touch a frog, you’ll turn into one!” That’s the madness of crowds. They all believe it, but no one checks if it’s true. If just one kid decides to look it up in a science book or ask a teacher, they’ll find out frogs don’t have magical powers. That one kid is using smart thinking—checking their source and not just following the crowd.

When you check your sources, you become a truth detective. You get to find out what’s real and what’s not. You can ask questions like:

Who said this?

Where did they get their information?

Is this person an expert?

Can I find the same information in other places?

By doing this, you become smarter, stronger, and kinder. Why kinder? Because sharing true information helps your friends and stops hurtful rumors or lies from spreading.

So next time you hear something that sounds strange, funny, or even a little scary, don’t just believe it because others do. Be curious. Ask questions. Check your sources. And remember—not everything the crowd believes is true. Don’t get caught in the madness of crowds. Be the one who thinks, checks, and learns.

You have the power to find the truth—and that’s pretty amazing!