Stay informed & approach news sources analytically
Staying on top of current events is important. It is also valuable to ask questions about what you hear and be as rational as possible when you are processing this information. It’s reassuring to know what is going on. When you understand the issues facing our country, you will be better equipped to take action if something unexpected occurs.

Watch the News
A lot of people don’t watch the news. Why would you want to? It’s usually confusing, boring and depressing. Important facts are difficult to filter from everything else. Try to find sources that tell both sides of a story so that you don’t get angry or have a biased opinion. The Associated Press and the BBC news (which you can find on your local National Public Radio station) are especially good at giving short and to-the-point news that is a little boring but less confusing. 

Listen for Important Facts
What are you looking for when you read, watch, or listen to the news? If it’s information about terrorist threats, it makes sense to pay most attention to that. A good rule of thumb is: the more news stations report the same thing, the more reliable that information tends to be. Every reporter makes mistakes sometimes, but it’s rare that three or four newscasters mistakenly report the same news.

Take it with a Grain of Salt
Your brain is probably too busy with friends, school, volunteer work, and a job to fill it up with “spam” news. Unfortunately, deciding what’s realistic and what is exaggerated for entertainment purposes is hard. Some news is taken out of context. There’s always more to the story than can fit into a brief news segment or three-column newspaper article. Paying attention to the news can help you figure out what to believe and what to toss out as junk.

Get News From Various Sources
The more news stations say the same thing, the more likely it is to be true. Every news station puts a different twist on a story, so watching several gives a more complete picture of what’s really going on. Some good sources are your local newspaper, news magazines such as USA Today, Newsweek, and the Economist; websites of major newspapers or organizations (such as GOP, Associated Press, or Amnesty International) and the dozens of news stations on TV. The radio also has news stations, such as your local talk radio station or National Public Radio (NPR).

Stay Safe From Terrorism
There is no set formula that will keep you safe from terrorism. Your best bet is to watch the news and decide what makes the most sense to you. Here are some general tips to get you started.

Report Suspicious Behavior
That doesn’t mean that racial profiling (using stereotypes to associate people with certain actions or behaviors) is appropriate. People who might be terrorists include those with wires sticking out of their jackets, people trying to set their shoes or bags on fire, or individuals doing other things that make you think they are terrorists. You can call your local police department, 9-1-1, or the National Security Hotline at 877-283-1809.

Do NOT Stop Living
Terrorism is terrifying! That’s its goal. But allowing the fear to consume our lives and keep us from doing things we’d otherwise do, lets the terrorists win. They want to keep Americans in fear and chaos. There is no reason to stay away from planes, trains, malls, or tourist sites forever – unless there’s a specific threat against one of these places or modes of transportation at the time when you plan to go.

Be a Role Model
Standing up for what you believe in or being passionate about a cause is great! Being fanatical or taking extreme measures to get your point across is not a good idea. Be diplomatic – use tact and be considerate of the views of others. Through petitions at school, negotiating and bargains, you can make the changes you feel are important. Compromising and respecting the opinions and goals of others is important. Be a leader and show your friends, siblings, and others the right way to express your beliefs.