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Recognizing Credible Content
We are living at a time when all kinds of information are being released, updated, amended, and debunked at breakneck speed. How can someone make sure that what they’re getting is credible information?
View social media with skepticism
Social media is used to widely share information. However, it's not a source where you can easily verify information. In fact, social media is a place where misinformation is often shared.
Two thirds of Social Media influencers don't check the information they share for accuracy. And many content creators look at a source's popularity to determine its credibility. Just because something is popular does not make it accurate.
Social media is not a reputable news source. So, if you can't trust social media, who can you trust?
Evaluate the source
There are sources that are still creating reliable content. Here are some tips to recognize them:
The information source is clearly identified.
There is evidence to support any claims.
The information is current. It's helpful to look at when the information is created. Even something created just a week ago could be outdated by the time you come across the post.
Cross check information
Check the information with multiple trusted sources. Looking at a variety of sources can give you a bigger picture of an issue and a more complete understanding of the topic.
You can also go to fact checking websites to see if something is accurate. A couple of trusted places include snopes.com and factcheck.org.
Learn to lookout for AI-generated content
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly filling the online space. As it grows, it’s getting harder to identify.
Although AI can be a useful tool, AI-generated content can contain inaccurate or misleading information. Here are a couple of tips to spot AI-generated content:
AI Written Content often has repeated language. The tone of the words could be bland or lacking emotions. It also may be missing or wrong citations.
AI Images often have errors in the details (like a hand with the wrong number of fingers or gibberish where words should be printed). They also can look too “perfect” giving an airbrushed or polished look to the image.
Conclusion
Although news is being posted on a 24-hour cycle, you don't have to be overwhelmed with all the information. You can take a moment to look closer. By evaluating sources, cross-checking information, and staying on alert for AI-generated content, you can better recognize credible information and make informed choices about what you read, share, and trust.
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