How to identify inaccurate information on the Internet

Video: How false news can spread - Noah Tavlin

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 3: False or Misleading Articles
Method 2 of 3: Fake Memes and Photos
Method 3 of 3: Bots or Fake Accounts
Tips
Warnings
Additional articles

We've all seen posts on our social media feed that seem completely insane or incredible. The trouble is that often they do not seem like this in vain: these days there is a lot of unreliable information around. So if a statement or “fact” is too good to be true, or upset you too much, it is possible that it is false or misleading. The good news, however, is that you have every means to sort through the questionable information and figure out what is true and what is false. Inaccurate information is not just annoying - sometimes it is even dangerous. However, learn to identify it, and you can help stop its spread.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: False or Misleading Articles

1 Stop and be skeptical about new information. When you come across an article or post with information that you have not seen before, stop for a second and think. Don't skip ahead, accepting the information as fact, and don't repost without showing a little skepticism to begin with.
- It's okay to doubt! It is best to check if the information is correct before distributing it.
- Inaccurate information can do a lot of harm, especially when it comes to something serious like COVID-19.
2 Check the source of the information and the date of publication. Look for information in the source to see if it was actually published there. Also double-check the publication date to make sure the information is current and still accurate. Usually the date is indicated next to the author's name at the beginning (sometimes at the end) of the article.
- For example, if you see a quote or post that says that a news outlet has published an article about a recent terrorist attack, check that news outlet's official website to make sure that article exists.
- The date can make a big difference. For example, the information in the article about the new coronavirus infection published six months ago could have been deemed inaccurate by now.
3 Check if you can find the author of the original article. See if the author of the article is listed, or search the Internet for its title.Find out if the author is an expert in the field or a journalist who writes about it often. This will make sure the person understands what they are writing about.
- If an article or other publication does not have an author, this is a sign that the information in it may be inaccurate.
- For example, an article on health written by a doctor (who actually exists and works in a serious clinic) is more credible than an article by an unknown author.
4 Look for the same information elsewhere. Check online to see if other news portals or organizations have published similar information. If important news comes from a single source, chances are it will turn out to be fake.
- For example, if you see an article about fires in the Amazonian jungle, look to see if other portals or publications are writing about this news.
5 Pay attention to triggers for a strong emotional response. Misleading information is often calculated to make you angry, upset, or intimidated. If you come across a statement, article, or headline that evokes very strong emotions, be wary. This could be a sign of a lie designed specifically for this reaction.
- For example, if you see a headline like “NEW LAW WILL PROHIBIT DOGS IN APARTMENTS,” it’s probably fake, or at least misleading you.
6 Pay attention to loud phrases or value judgments. Quality information is presented in a professional, clear and objective language. When you read new information, be careful and see if the author is trying to force you to respond in a very specific way.
- For example, a professionally written news story might say, "The authorities are not sure what exactly caused the accident and an investigation is underway." A dubious note may say: "The authorities, as usual, have no idea what happened and are unlikely to ever find out."
- Also pay attention to offensive or rude language.

Method 2 of 3: Fake Memes and Photos

1 Double-check any quotes for accuracy. There are many memes circulating on the Internet with quotes attributed to one or another famous person. Enter a quote in a search engine to check who actually authored it. If the actual statement does not match the one used in the meme, or the person did not say anything even remotely similar, this is probably a fake.
- For example, if a meme says “From 2021, only hybrid cars will be allowed” and the words are attributed to the Minister of Transport, check on the Internet if he said something like that.
- If a fact is stated in a meme, but it is not confirmed by any sources, it may be false or distorted.
2 Check claims on fact-checking sites. Whenever you come across a meme, infographic, or photograph with a statement of some kind, try searching the site for fact-checking. Read what this site says about it: is it true or misleading.
- For example, if a meme claims that the state is sending citizens to explore Mars, check what is posted on the fact-checking site.
- A list of fact checking sites in different languages can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fact-checking_websites.
- Not every meme or statement found on the Internet will be featured on fact-checking sites, but it's still a great way to check information.
3 Zoom in on the photo to find indications of the actual location. Use the details of the photos to determine if the information they are intended to illustrate is accurate. Try to enlarge the photo and study the details: what language the road signs or signs are written in, what state or region the license plates belong to, what flags are visible in the background, and other points indicating the location. If the information and location do not match, the information may be false.
- For example, if it says that a photo depicts a street in Los Angeles, but you find road signs in Italian or a car with an Australian number on it, then this is probably false information.
4 Use a reverse image search to find out when it first appeared on the Internet. Search engines like Google or Bing allow you to insert the URL of an image to find out when it was first published. If it is an old image that is re-advertised as "news" over and over again, then the information is not valid. Also, you may be able to find the original source of the image and find out if it was originally related to the stated information.
- For example, if the photo below says it is a documentary photograph of an alien spacecraft, use reverse search. If it turns out that the same photo appeared in the news five years ago and was found to be a fake, or that it was originally published as an example of the use of photomontage, you cannot trust it.
- Use tools like the RevEye extension to find all instances of an image appearing on the Internet and determine if it is being misled.

Method 3 of 3: Bots or Fake Accounts

1 Check to see if your username contains random numbers or letters. Although this check is not a 100% guarantee, there is still a noticeable chance that if the username includes an arbitrary sequence of numbers or letters, then it is generated by a computer program. Look at the name on your profile to see if it is suspicious.
- This is especially true if random numbers or letters are added to the name of a celebrity or politician. For example, if the author of the post is named TomHanks458594, this is clearly not the real Tom Hanks, but a fake account or bot.
- Remember that this is not the case in a hundred percent of cases, but it is still a common sign of a fake account.
2 Read the profile information to see if it matches the user's activity. Most social networks have a section where the user can write briefly about himself. See if this description matches what you see on the user's page and the content they are sharing. If you think not, the account may be fake.
- For example, if in the information about himself a user writes about peace, love and harmony, and his entire page is continuous re-posts of articles about violence and crimes, this is very suspicious.
- Also, do not neglect common sense. Do you have a feeling that something is wrong with your account? Bot accounts are often made believable, but you might still be suspicious. Trust your instinct.
3 If possible, find when the account was created. In some social networks, on the profile page, you can see the date the account was created. Check to see if it has recently appeared. If so, it could be a fake account created specifically to spread false information.
- For example, if an account was registered only two months ago and is engaged exclusively in reposting "sensational news", it is most likely fake.
4 Use a reverse search on your profile photo to determine if it is fake. Upload your profile photo to a search engine like Google or Bing. If it turns out that it was taken from a photo stock or belongs to another person, it may be a fake account or a bot.
- Photos from stock sites are a sure sign of fake pages.
- A portrayal of a celebrity, cartoon character, animal, or object is not a sign that a profile is fake, but a profile that does not show a real person is less credible.
5 See if user activity seems suspicious to you. See how often and at what time new posts appear.If you see 24/7 activity, posts from all over the world, or massive re-posts of political publications, it is quite possible that this is a bot or a fake account.
- If new posts appear continuously, 24 hours a day, it is probably a bot.

Tips

When you see questionable information on the Internet, trust your instincts. Check the information before you believe it, repost or forward it.

Warnings

The dissemination of false information can cause great harm and undermine public confidence. This information can be difficult to find, so be sure to check the news or fact before spreading it online.