This public radio story provides tips for deciphering between accurate and inaccurate information on social media.

During this public radio news story, a representative from the News Literacy Project shared the tools created for students to evaluate news stories circulating on social media platforms. Because misinformation can spread rapidly, it is important to recognize misinformation and know that messages have been designed to not only reinforce someone’s beliefs but to exploit them. This misinformation spreads quickly because people trust their friends more than the media or government so when misinformation is shared by a friend, it is easier to believe that it must be true because people think of their friends as credible sources. It is recommended to learn to separate scrolling from intentional news consumption. Slowing down and checking to see if claims are backed by evidence from other reputable outlets can reduce the tendency to simply believe that well-produced looking material is credible.