Why CGES: In an era in which policymakers have more powerful tools for communication than ever before, trust in government and institutions is at historic lows. Both the generation of news and its consumption by citizens are having an impact on how well-informed citizens are and on civic discourse. How do our social media habits influence our relationship with government and political beliefs? Do current news consumption practices help or harm critical thinking? How can we improve average citizens' critical thinking ability to aid their daily decision-making?