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Don't Just Scroll. Question What You See.
Spotting False Information – Skills That Work
Spotting False Information – Skills That Work
Lateral Reading
Open - Check - Compare
Open New Tabs → Don’t stay on just one site. Open other sources to see what’s being said about it.
Check the Source → Look up who created the information (person, organization, publisher) before trusting it.
Compare What You Find → Cross-check across multiple credible sources to see if the information holds up.
Reality Checking
Reality Checking
AI-Generated Content: AI can create realistic fake text, images, and videos (like deepfakes). Always ask: “Does this seem too strange or off?”
Social Media & Short Videos: TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts spread news fast but aren’t always reliable. Pause, screenshot, and search info before sharing.
Influencers: People you follow online might share info without fact-checking. Remember, they might get paid to promote something — that doesn’t always mean it’s true.
Tips: Try Google Reverse Image Search to check photos.
Use Lateral Reading to assess Generative AI output.
(See videos)
Read More: NYTimes Article
Influencers like Lil’ Miquela and Mia Zelu have millions of followers and generate serious income, despite being created with artificial intelligence.
Fact Checking
When something feels “off,” stop and check!
Verify claims, images, or trending stories.
Trusted Fact-Checking Sites
Snopes – urban legends, viral posts, internet rumors
PolitiFact – political statements and claims
FactCheck.org – news, politics, and viral misinformation
Reuters Fact Check – international news and images
AP Fact Check – breaking news claims
RumorGuard by News Literacy Project - Each fact-checked viral rumor contains tips to help you build your fact-checking skills
Tip: When you see something suspicious, ask yourself:
Who made this, and why?
Does it appear on more than one credible source?
Can I confirm it through a trusted fact-checking site?
Why We're Fooled - How We Fight Back
Why We're Fooled - How We Fight Back
Why Misinformation Tricks Us
Why Misinformation Tricks Us
Misinformation spreads because:
It appeals to our emotions like fear or anger.
We want to believe things that fit what we already think (confirmation bias).
We share info quickly before checking it.
Tips: Pause and think before you believe or share.
Use a strategy or resource above to understand the
information better.
What You Can Do About It
What You Can Do About It
Don’t share something unless you check if it’s true.
Report misinformation you find on social media.
Help friends learn to spot fake news too.
Stay curious and ask questions like “Who made this?” and “Why did they share it?”
Visit News Literacy Project to deepen your skills.
Skills for well-informed, critical thinkers
More On Some of The Skills
More On Some of The Skills
Sharpen Your Lateral Reading Skill
Why We Fall For Misinformation
Games To Build Your Skills
Games To Build Your Skills
Bad News
Truth Detector Quiz Game
Apply AI to two real-world scenarios. See the impacts of your decisions.
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