We’ve all seen those clickbait articles with outrageous headlines that seem too crazy to be true. “Scientists Discover Mermaids are Real!” or “Aliens Responsible for Pyramids, Says Expert”. These are exaggerated stories designed to grab your attention, but have little basis in fact. In today’s world of information overload, learning how to evaluate sources and identify bias is an important skill. This blog post will give you some tips to spot questionable claims and stay informed with reliable information.

Stay Skeptical and Check for Evidence

The first step is to approach all new information with a healthy dose of skepticism. Just because something is published online or shared widely on social media does not make it true. When you come across an article that makes surprising or hard-to-believe claims, don’t take it at face value. Do a little digging to determine how credible it is. Does the article link to scientific studies, reputable sources or expert opinions that back up its claims? Or does it rely on anonymous sources, anecdotes or speculation? Legitimate journalists and publications cite solid evidence.

Watch Out for Emotionally Charged Language

Articles that exaggerate with emotionally charged language should raise red flags. Responsible reporting aims to be as objective as possible. If the headline uses shocking terms like “attack”, “disaster” or “horrifying”, it could just be trying to incite fear or anger. Likewise, pieces that flatter public figures or political parties with glowing language may have a bias.

Investigate the Source

Ask yourself: where is this information coming from? Is the website an established news organization or a random personal blog? Google the author’s name to see if they are a real expert and have a solid track record. For print publications, look at the About Us and Contact pages to learn the background of the source. A respected media outlet will have a team of professional fact-checkers, journalist ethics policies, and issue corrections for errors. Unknown sites pushing conspiracy theories are not credible sources.

Watch Out For Biased Perspectives

Some level of bias is natural in reporting, but good journalists reveal multiple perspectives. If an article only shows one side of an issue or demonizes groups of people, it could be pushing an agenda. Sources endorsed by political parties, campaign groups or industries may skew facts to support their views. Nonpartisan sources like the Associated Press, Reuters and NPR make an effort to minimize bias by reporting different viewpoints.

Check Who Else is Reporting It

Misinformation often spreads widely before it is debunked. Do a quick search to see how many other reputable news sites are also covering the story. If no established organizations are reporting the same claim, that’s a red flag. If a celebrity death or viral video turns out to be a hoax, legitimate journalists will correct the record. Be wary of “echo chamber” sites that all cite each other as sources without independent confirmation.

Consult Fact-Checking Sites

Organizations like Snopes.com, FactCheck.org and PolitiFact.com fact-check viral claims, questionable news stories and political ads. See if your article has already been investigated by impartial fact-checkers. They provide context, point out inaccuracies and rate claims based on available evidence. This can reveal manipulated photos, misleading data and other signs something is false or exaggerated.

Think Before Sharing

In our social media age, all of us need to take responsibility for spreading credible information. Fake stories often go viral because people share posts without checking them out first. Consider if a headline sounds believable before retweeting or posting it. Asking questions and verifying sources will keep you from accidentally passing on misinformation. We can all do our part to improve online discourse.

With so much content floating around online, it’s crucial to approach anything you read with an analytical eye. Following these tips will help you identify sketchy claims and biased agendas. Seek out respected journals, fact-based news sites and nonpartisan sources you can trust. And don’t believe everything you read on the internet – use critical thinking before buying into sensational stories! The ability to separate fact from fiction is an invaluable skill both in school and in life. Stay savvy out there!