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News & Information

Keeping up with the news is how we keep up with the world. But what happens when that news turns out to be inaccurate or totally made-up? How can we tell essential information and facts apart from misinformation? Learn about the problem of misinformation and how to know whether a news story is a fact or fiction.

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News & Information

The news is supposed to inform us about current events and trends. Finding accurate news sources is becoming more and more difficult because of false information and clickbait. This article from Commonsensemedia.org shows a list of questions to consider when checking out a headline. Questions like, "Who made this?" or "Who might benefit or be harmed by this message?". If the answers point to anything suspicious, the article is likely inaccurate or misinforming.

In the age of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites misinforming and inaccurate headlines spread like wildfire, often with no one looking for the truth. Thanks to Commonsensemedia.org, we have many fact-checking sites available for all ages to explore. This resource is a hub for checking on headlines, verifying them, exposing false stories, and helping promote actual news.

Identifying Misinformation

Our last resource for this week, from PBS Learning Media, is a short video showcasing how to identify "fake" news by looking for various "red flags" in the story itself. Stuff like unusual or strange website names, no listed sources, and sensationalist pictures or clickbait titles can give away whether a news story can be trusted or not. Also, search for images and any references associated with the account; if those turn out to be bogus, then the original story is, at best, questionable or totally fake.

Have you encountered misinformation before? How would you expose inaccurate stories/misinformation? Let us know in the comments below! For youth and young adults, ages 13-26, join us on the SPAN Youth Chat on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 PM.

Resources...

Link to SPAN's website: www.spanadvocacy.org

Link to SPAN's Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know
We're here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726

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