The amount of information online is staggering, and much of it’s inaccurate, biased, and false. Sometimes sources deliberately mislead people, and sometimes inaccurate information gets repeated over and over by people who have good intentions and sincerely believe that it’s true. Asking yourself these questions can help you evaluate what you read on the internet.
Is the Source Authoritative?
The person, company, or entity providing information is one of the most important clues that can tell you whether or not an article can be trusted. Look for articles written by sources with specialized and relevant knowledge. For example, if you’re looking for information on a medical topic, a peer-reviewed medical journal is a good source to check.
A source’s domain name can provide valuable clues about its credibility. A domain name that ends in “.gov” means that a website belongs to a government agency, while a domain name that ends in “.edu” is associated with an educational institution.
Is the Information Consistent with Other Sources?
It can be helpful to compare articles from multiple sources and look for general agreement. If an article contains information that completely contradicts what you read elsewhere, you’ll have to do more research to figure out what’s true and what’s not. Consult several authoritative sources to get additional facts before you draw a conclusion.
Individuals and companies publish blogs and social media posts about a wide range of topics. That information may or may not be accurate, reliable, and complete. Look for references to published studies, quotes from experts in the field, or links to articles from authoritative sources. If a blog or social media post doesn’t refer to official sources, see if other sources that you trust back up what you read before you accept it as true.
Is the Article Biased?
People’s preconceived ideas, political views, social leanings, and personal biases can influence the subjects that they choose to write about and the way they present information. Be aware that a source that you’re getting information from might not be telling you the whole story. Reading articles about the same topic from multiple sources can give you a more complete picture.
Is the Information Current?
When it comes to subjects such as politics, economics, and science, unfolding events and new discoveries can make information that was once reliable become obsolete. Look for articles that were written recently and that contain the most up-to-date information available.
Does the Website Seem Trustworthy?
Consider a website as a whole. If it’s well organized and looks professional, it’s more likely to contain reliable information than a website that’s filled with spelling and grammatical errors or one that’s primarily focused on advertising.
Carefully Evaluate What You Read Online
We all have a wealth of information at our fingertips, but some of what we read online isn’t true or complete. Take the time to evaluate what you read and consider multiple sources before you draw conclusions.
