Do you know what information can be trusted online and what you should question? Do you know what Trump loved to call #FakeNews? Would you like to know how to avoid fake news on social networks ? According to some studies, fake news and misinformation on social networks are more attractive than the real facts. Despite the fact that platforms have taken countless measures to combat the spread of false information, it is still circulating and accessible.
While you may not be able to completely eliminate fake news online, there are plenty of ways to make sure you avoid seeing it on social media.
How to avoid fake news on social media
Here are some tips to help you know how to avoid fake news on social media.
Don’t get involved with these
When you interact with any form of content on social media , the algorithms will show you more of it. To limit your chances of seeing fake news on social media, don’t get involved with fake news, even if you’re just looking to express your discontent.
Instead of leaving a comment or reaction with an angry face, report the post to the platform. In addition to getting the original post offline, you’ll also see less similar content.
Follow only reputable media outlets
It is very easy for anyone to claim to be an Internet expert these days. And in this respect, news reporting is no different.
Be careful when interacting with news publications that you have never heard of before or those that you know have a political bias.
In addition to following reputable media outlets , it might be a good idea to go directly to their page to view the content instead of scrolling through your feed.
Go directly to the news site
You can remove all doubt about whether or not you see fake news by skipping social media . Instead, consider going directly to news sites you trust.
Again, it’s critical to look for publications that are known for both their reputation and impartiality . Example of websites you can trust for balanced reporting includes Reuters.
Beyond getting more credible information, going directly to the news site can also help curb excessive social media consumption . Generally speaking, you only need to browse the headlines once or twice a day.
Understand the difference between fake news and satire
Satire is very popular on social media. There are entire websites and accounts dedicated to posting satirical articles or tongue-in-cheek headlines. They often look a lot like standard news websites. Because of this, it’s easy to be tricked into thinking you’re reading a genuine story.
Satirical news websites are generally harmless and designed to be entertaining . If you’re ever unsure, a quick check of the website’s name on Google will confirm if you’re reading something it’s intended to report.
Block fake news distributors
Often other people we follow bring fake news to our profiles. If you have noticed that someone in your feed is constantly spreading false information; Blocking, unfollowing, muting, or unfollowing them might be the best option.
Similarly, it would be better if you were wary of content from accounts you are not familiar with. If you’ve noticed a profile appearing more often in your feed and find that they’re spreading fake news, block or mute them.
To distinguish accurate from inaccurate content, it’s a good idea to run background checks on the journalists and media outlets you see before making a decision.
check the date
In the fast-paced world of social media, ignoring the little details in the articles and videos you see can be all too easy. You might be drawn to the title of a post, but don’t look at how long it’s been posted.
Not all websites update their news articles, which means information that was once true is not . And for you, it could be easy to fall into the trap of thinking the content is timely.
If the original post is retweeted on social media, you’ll be able to see the date it was shared. But if someone has written their own post, it’s a good idea to do a Google search on the title.
By doing this, you will be able to find out not only when the article was published , but also when it was last updated.
With so much content on social media every day, knowing what you can and can’t trust can be difficult. But with a little common sense and due diligence, it’s not impossible.
Before you engage with any news, ask yourself if you’re viewing content from a trusted source. If necessary, check and do a quick search online. If you find that certain accounts continually share unreliable information, block or unfollow them.
News verification may seem like a long process , but it ‘s actually quite quick. You will also thank yourself for doing so and for stopping the fake news you see.
