How to Evaluate Sources

The first move is the simplest. STOP reminds you of two things:

1. If you STOP before you start reading content, you’re able to ask yourself if you trust the website or the source of information. Don’t read it or share it until you know what it is.
2. Further on, you may have to STOP again to remind yourself what your goal is. Adjust your strategy if it isn't working. Make sure you approach the problem at the right amount of depth for your purpose.

Here is a video (5:43) about the dangerous consequences of misinformation.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you think media literacy could help some people avoid processes of radicalization? Or are social drivers too strong?
2. Are all conspiracy theories bad? Are all wrong? What do you think makes a conspiracy theory harmful? Do you hold beliefs that others would dismiss as a conspiracy theory?
3. Do you know anyone that has gone down the conspiracy rabbit hole on an issue? What have you learned from that experience about what drives conspiracy thinking? 

Article: Fake news. It's complicated

Article: Students Have 'Dismaying' Inability To Tell Fake News From Real, Study Finds

Article: Don't Go Down the Rabbit Hole