How can we encourage kids to learn how to think?

The question implies that kids don't know how to think. I see no reason to suspect that's the case.

That said, some important things that were taught in school when I was of that age appear to no longer be taught. Things like formal critical thinking skills and media literacy. If my impression is correct, perhaps what we need to do is start teaching those again.

Force them into a rejection state until they can ask the appropriate question to access what they want. Criticality is important here and not every child is capable of doing this.

That is intentionally why children are taught not to think, so that nobody is left behind. That and also because many adults will fail at this too.