Not Everything Online Is True: Checking Facts

Imagine someone put a sign on the street saying "The school is closed today!" — anyone can make a sign and put it up. The internet is the same. Anyone can publish anything online, whether it is true or not. That is why checking where information comes from is one of the most important digital skills you can learn.

Why is false information online?

• Anyone can publish a website, social media post, or video — no one checks whether it is true first.
• Some people spread misinformation — false information shared by mistake.
• Some people spread disinformation — false information shared on purpose to trick others.
• False stories spread quickly because they are often exciting or surprising.

Signs a source is trustworthy

• The website belongs to a known organization — a school, museum, government, university, or well-known news outlet.
• The web address ends in .gov (government), .edu (education), or a recognizable domain like a well-known newspaper.
• The information has a named author with qualifications.
• The article gives evidence and sources — not just opinions.
• Other trusted sources say the same thing.

Red flags — signs a source may NOT be trustworthy

• The headline uses ALL CAPS or lots of exclamation marks — "YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS!!!"
• The claim sounds too amazing to be true — "Scientists prove chocolate cures every disease!"
• There is no named author or no date on the article.
• The website looks messy or unprofessional, or is full of advertisements.
• The information cannot be found anywhere else — only on that one website.

Simple fact-check steps — SIFT

• S — Stop — pause before sharing. Does something feel off?
• I — Investigate the source — who wrote this and why?
• F — Find other sources — do other trusted websites say the same?
• T — Tell a trusted adult if you are unsure.