In order to prevent us from becoming hoax victims or hoax spreaders, here are short tips which we can use to identify whether the information we receive is accurate or fake.
1. Consider different perspectives
Read news from a wide variety of sources to ensure that you are getting multiple perspectives. Do you favor one source over another because it’s more reliable, or because it’s confirming what you already believe to be true?
2. Try different search engines
Google’s results can be influenced by your browsing history. Experiment with other search engines like DuckDuckGo for more neutral results and better privacy.
3. Question highly emotional content
Fake news often aims to provoke strong emotions. If a headline seems too good to be true or makes you very angry, it might be fake. Always take a moment to check the facts.
4. Be skeptical of breaking news
Breaking news stories can be chaotic and unreliable. Check out resources like the Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook for tips on how to handle breaking news.
5. Fake news isn’t just online
Fake news can appear in podcasts, TV shows, newspapers, and even academic articles. Use the same critical thinking skills to spot misinformation in any format.
6. Check the accuracy of the images
Broadcasted information on social media is not only texts but also images and videos. Use Google Images feature by dragging and dropping the images you retrieved to check the validity.
Remember, it’s essential to be vigilant and use critical thinking skills whenever you come across information, whether it’s online or offline.
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