How to Combat Misinformation and Find Reputable Sources Online
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 information overload.
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 Vs. Disinformation
Misinformation is inaccurate or false information. Disinformation is also false information, but it’s misleading on purpose.
The difference between misinformation and disinformation is the intent behind it: You can think of misinformation as mistaken info, whereas disinformation is deliberately false.
Both misinformation and disinformation are often made to seem more urgent, shocking, or dramatic than they really are. They quickly grab your attention, and many times, the information is taken out of context.
Additionally, both misinformation and disinformation have harmful effects because they purposely divide people and lead them to make poor decisions that can impact their health and well-being. Though there is no concrete way to stop the spread of false information, you can protect yourself from it by digging into what you read and watch on social media.
How to Fact-Check Information
Although a source may seem well-informed, and what they share may appear very real, they can still spread misinformation. Taking the following steps when you see health-related or other types of information on social media can help you determine whether it’s rooted in fact.
- Pause and breathe. Scrolling social media is one of the fastest ways we take in info. Taking a deep, slow breath can help you slow down, process information, and make better decisions about what you’re watching or reading. Experts recommend breathing in for four seconds, holding for seven, and exhaling for eight seconds.
- Check the credibility of the source. Ask yourself questions like: Is this person an expert on the subject? What kind of schooling or training do they have on this topic? What are their motivations for sharing this information?
- Look for citations. People sharing ideas online should also share where they’re getting their information. Reliable sources include government sites, studies from peer-reviewed journals, and research papers.
- Opt for neutrality. People who present extremes may be pushing an agenda of their own. Stick to neutral sources who state the facts and contribute information in a nonjudgmental tone.
- Check for bias. You can use a media bias chart to see where a news outlet leans politically and how reliable their information tends to be. Political biascan inform the kind of reporting news outlets do, the sources they consult, and the way they present information.
In addition to the fact-checking steps above, you can:
- Pay attention to how the information makes you feel. If a post doesn’t sit right with you, it may be a sign that something’s up — maybe the person or source is only painting half the picture or has a motive they haven’t shared. Take your gut feeling as a sign to fact-check the information.
- Recognize the effect of your echo chamber. Many of us live within an echo chamber, where all of the opinions and ideas we come across on social media align with our own. It can be troubling when something you see online doesn’t align with your beliefs, but that doesn’t always mean it’s false.
- Ask an adult you trust for guidance. Processing everything you read and watch on social media can be a lot. You can make it easier by talking to an adult you trust who can help you make sense of it all. It could be a parent or relative, librarian, teacher, tutor, coach, or someone else in your life who you can rely on.
How to Find Credible Sources
Just because an account is verified on social platforms doesn’t mean you should trust it. Sometimes it can be a way to know if an account is authentic (meaning that person or entity is who they say they are and not a fake profile). But being verified doesn’t always mean the account is a reliable source that shares research- or science-backed information.
On some platforms, like X (formerly Twitter), individuals can pay to have a verified account. This gives people and groups posting fake information a level of credibility they don’t deserve.You should feel empowered to look into any social media account further, whether it’s a person or an organization. Here are some ways to find sources you can trust.
Identify Relevant Degrees
Certain degrees and certifications make a person an expert in the field and give them the ability to speak with authority on a given subject.
For example, a person with an advanced degree in psychology, such as a master’s degree or PhD, has the expertise to give mental health advice and weigh in on issues within the healthcare system. However, if the person has a PhD, but it’s in engineering, they probably aren’t the best person to trust for information about emotional health.
Look Into Their Experience
A person doesn’t always need an advanced degree to be qualified to speak on a subject. For example, a journalist with years of experience covering health issues could be a reliable source to better understand news about mental health treatment options, even though they may not have a master’s degree.
Use Reputable Websites
To get accurate information on websites:
- Use federal and state government websites. You can check the facts on new and existing policies and rights in your state by going straight to its .gov website. In most cases, you can find the site by typing the state name or abbreviation into your browser. For example, if you are a Virginia resident, search Virginia.gov for trusted information. If you are a California resident, search CA.gov.
- Bookmark or save fact-check websites. PolitiFact analyzes social media posts and statements from politicians and shares how truthful they are. FactCheck.org offers evidence to prove or disprove statements and allows you to submit questions when a political post goes viral or an influencer shares a view on a policy. And Snopes.com investigates stories, memes, and rumors spread on social media.
- Pay attention to fact-checking labels. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) often label posts community members have deemed misleading, altered, or false.
Learn More About Social Media Literacy and Mental Health
Pushing back on misinformation and disinformation has two parts: trusting that you have the skills and knowledge to tell fact from fiction, and feeling empowered to ask questions and dig deeper when things don’t feel quite right. You can use the resources below to keep learning and take care of your mental health along the way.
Media Literacy Resources
- UCLA Critical Media Literacy Research Guide
- Knowledge Is Power: Fighting Misinformation, Disinformation, and Junk News
- Common Sense Media Resources
Mental Health Resources
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