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Uzone.id — Most of us spend our day online almost 24/7. It’s not necessarily only for fun but most of our activities right now are connecting with the internet (and social media).
As a generation who can’t live without scrolling through the internet, have you ever scrolled your feed and asked “Is this information even true?” or “Is this source trustworthy?”.
Well, you’re not alone then. These days misinformation spreads faster than a cat video getting FYP and a million likes. You can find one or two of them every day and maybe almost fall into their trap.
But no need to worry because we will arm you with these top hacks to fight misinformation on social media. Here’s how.
You can trust but don’t forget to verify
The first move in fighting misinformation is not to believe everything you read easily. Before you share that interesting news with your friends, take a few minutes to verify the facts and the source of information.
You can check the information from one or two sources outside the platforms. Google exists for a reason and that’s one of them. If the news seems too good (or too bad) to be true, it is probably indeed fake news.
Be a fact-checking maniac
Fact-checking is your best friend. Google and some websites like Snopes and FactCheck.org can help you find the truth. If you’re not sure about something, a quick search can save you from spreading more hoaxes to others.
Make it your habit to verify info with credible sources. A few minutes of checking won’t hurt you and instead, can prevent a lot of misinformation from spreading.
To avoid fake news, the simple thing you can do is stick to reliable news outlets and verified social media accounts only.
Be aware of clickbait
Who doesn’t love a good eye-catching headline? We all do, but it’s different when clickbait hits. It can be a major culprit for spreading misinformation all over the platform. Before you fall for its traps, please be aware that if the headline seems too sensational or emotional, just take it with a grain of salt, that could be fake.
“Clickbait is designed to grab your attention and get clicks, not to inform you accurately. Always read beyond the headline,” said Sarah Johnson, a media studies professor.
Just take a moment to think before you share
It’s like a natural habit to spontaneously share new information with friends or family. Before you hit that share button, take a deep breath and ask yourself: Is this information true? Does it come from a credible source? Or is it misinformation?
It’s not like you’re prohibited to share content but being responsible for what information you share because we all have an impactful role to make sure only accurate information spreads online.”
Don’t forget to stay educated
Staying informed about common misinformation tricks will save you from spreading lies, and that will help others too if you explain to them about that. The more people are aware of the misinformation, the smaller the chance it becomes for false information to spread.
Knowledge is the best defensive weapon against misinformation and when people know how to identify fake information, they will never fall for its trap anymore.
Stay curious and be skeptical.
Well, questioning everything you see on social media and staying curious about every information you get is a good thing. You should ask lots of questions and seek the truth rather than being blind and accepting information easily.
So, in conclusion, all you need to do to combat misinformation is verify facts, stay informed and do not fall for clickbait, follow credible sources only, and educate yourself. A little reminder for you, it’s not just about protecting yourself but also creating a more informed and smart online community.
