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Lesson

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Clicks for Cash

How does internet advertising contribute to the spread of disinformation?

Grade

11

Time

45 mins.

Objectives

  • Describe how advertisers and publishers make money through online advertising.
  • Describe how clickbait can contribute to the spread of fake news and disinformation.
  • Use the Take a Stand thinking routine to consider different perspectives about whose responsibility it is to fight fake news and disinformation.

Vocabulary Show definitions

advertisement . advertiser . clickbait . disinformation . publisher (website)
advertisement – a message that promotes a product, service, opportunity, or event using television, the internet, billboards, or other public spaces
advertiser – a person or company who is hired to create advertisements
clickbait – an image or headline that tries to get you to click on it, usually for advertising purposes
disinformation – false or inaccurate information intended to deceive
publisher (website) – the person or company who created the website and its contents
Standards
This lesson meets standards for Common Core ELA, ISTE, CASEL and AASL.
Lesson Slides
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Topics

Information & Media Literacy Digital Citizenship & Literacy
Standards
This lesson meets standards for Common Core ELA, ISTE, CASEL and AASL.

Hey there! We've updated our curriculum!

This lesson will be archived in December 2026. 

We've updated and expanded it into the lessons below.

Girl with hands on her head surrounded by talking devices
Media Literacy
Critical Ignoring: What's Worth Your Attention?
How do you decide what's worth your attention in a world designed to capture all of it?
Activities:
Researching Skill,
Video
Young man looking at computer
Media Literacy
What's Real Online?
Why is misinformation so easy to fall for, and what can we do about it?
Activities:
Researching Skill,
Video
Shopping online clothing store outfit
Financial Literacy
Spending Traps
Who is really in control of what you buy online?
Activities:
Dilemma Discussion,
Video

Get started with our improved Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum today!

See all updated lessons
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Lesson Plan

45 mins.
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated:

What You’ll Need

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© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: