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5 Steps For Spotting And Stopping Misinformation Online Information

Bonisiwe Shabane
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5 steps for spotting and stopping misinformation online information

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We are bombarded with too much information. How can we distinguish what is factual, reliable, and trustworthy? Anyone can create a web site, blog, YouTube Video, or Wikipedia article. How can we trust the information we read? The C.R.A.A.P. test is a way to evaluate any type of information, specifically online information like web sites.

The C.R.A.A.P. test was originally created by Sarah Blakeslee, of the University of California at Chico's Meriam Library. Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University Researcher, JD Candidate, Royal Roads University Jaigris Hodson receives funding from SSHRC CRC and Connections grant programs. Andrea Galizia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Royal Roads University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA. Pioneered by digital literacy experts, the "Sift" strategy is a technique for spotting fake news and misleading social media posts, says Amanda Ruggeri. It's no secret that misinformation is rampant on social media. And it's even more so in some subjects than others. Research has found, for example, that around two-thirds of the most popular YouTube videos on vaccines contain misinformation. The fall-out can be dire: an uptick in inaccurate anti-vaccination content online correlates with a decline in vaccination coverage, especially among children.

That has led to larger outbreaks of potentially deadly diseases, like measles, than have been seen in recent years. "Misinformation is worse than an epidemic," Marcia McNutt, president of the US National Academy of Sciences, put it in 2021, implicitly referring to the Covid-19 pandemic. "It spreads at the speed of light throughout the globe and can prove deadly when it reinforces misplaced personal bias against all trustworthy evidence." In today's onslaught of overwhelming information (and misinformation), it can be difficult to know who to trust. In this column, Amanda Ruggeri explores smart, thoughtful ways to navigate the noise. Drawing on insights from psychology, social science and media literacy, it offers practical advice, new ideas and evidence-based solutions for how to be a wiser, more discerning critical thinker.

There are many reasons why misinformation travels so quickly – according to some research, even faster than accurate information. One reason is that people are far more likely to share a claim when it confirms their pre-existing beliefs, regardless of its accuracy. This cognitive bias may help explain why even more misinformation seems to be shared by individuals than by bots. One study, for example, found that just 15% of news sharers spread up to 40% of fake news. Not sure what to trust online? You’re not alone.

Misinformation is everywhere, and it’s designed to mislead, provoke, and overwhelm. In this article, we explore how false or distorted content impacts your well-being, share five ways to spot it, and offer strategies to stay mentally clear and emotionally grounded in the digital world. ✔️ How misinformation impacts mental clarity and emotional well-being ✔️ 5 practical techniques to assess and manage false or misleading content ✔️ Tools and habits to protect your focus in an AI-driven online world Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is shared without the intent to mislead, often unknowingly or in good faith.

It can spread quickly through social media, conversations, or even trusted sources, despite lacking factual accuracy. It’s important to distinguish this from disinformation, which involves the intentional creation and distribution of false content with the aim of deceiving or manipulating others. Understanding this distinction helps us respond more effectively to the challenges of false information. In today's hyper-connected digital landscape, a pervasive threat is rapidly eroding trust and stability across the United States: the alarming rise of misinformation and disinformation. While misinformation refers to unintentional inaccuracies, disinformation is the deliberate propagation of falsehoods, both of which carry significant societal impacts. False narratives now spread with unprecedented speed across major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube.

The consequences are dire, affecting everything from critical public health guidance to the very fabric of political discourse. As this digital epidemic intensifies, the urgent question becomes: how do we effectively combat it? This article unveils 5 proven ways to confront and mitigate the spread of false content, offering actionable strategies to foster a more informed and resilient society. Image taken from the YouTube channel iswearenglish , from the video titled 😎 Propagate Meaning - Propagation Defined - Propagate Examples - Propagate Propagation . As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the digital world, a more insidious challenge has emerged, one that directly threatens the fabric of an informed and healthy society. By Tiffany Eve Lawrence and Jessica Hicks

Most of us spend a good chunk of our day online. It’s where we work, connect with friends, and stay involved in pop culture, news, and politics. It makes life easier and more enjoyable that we can do so much and get so much out of what we see on the internet and social media — but with that often comes... Not only is it hard to sift through everything we come across online, but it can also be tough to tell what’s true and what’s not. Trying to sort fact from fiction in online spaces can be overwhelming and stressful. The good news is that you can take concrete steps to get better at spotting misinformation and disinformation and feel more comfortable and confident when getting information online or through social media.

Being able to identify trusted sources can help you cope with the stress of information overload. And knowing what sources you can rely on can help you make informed decisions about how to take care of your mental health. Misinformation is inaccurate or false information. Disinformation is also false information, but it’s misleading on purpose.

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We are bombarded with too much information. How can we distinguish what is factual, reliable, and trustworthy? Anyone can create a web site, blog, YouTube Video, or Wikipedia article. How can we trust the information we read? The C.R.A.A.P. test is a way to evaluate any type of information, specifically online information like web sites.

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The C.R.A.A.P. test was originally created by Sarah Blakeslee, of the University of California at Chico's Meriam Library. Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University Researcher, JD Candidate, Royal Roads University Jaigris Hodson receives funding from SSHRC CRC and Connections grant programs. Andrea Galizia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding f...

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Royal Roads University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA. Pioneered by digital literacy experts, the "Sift" strategy is a technique for spotting fake news and misleading social media posts, says Amanda Ruggeri. It's no secret that misinformation is rampant on social media. And it's even more so in some subjects than others. Research has found, for example, that around two-thirds ...

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That has led to larger outbreaks of potentially deadly diseases, like measles, than have been seen in recent years. "Misinformation is worse than an epidemic," Marcia McNutt, president of the US National Academy of Sciences, put it in 2021, implicitly referring to the Covid-19 pandemic. "It spreads at the speed of light throughout the globe and can prove deadly when it reinforces misplaced persona...