Information Literacy: How can I verify information online?

Why is it important for us to understand this?

An essential 21st century skill is learning how to distinguish information that is reliable from disinformation, misinformation and fake news. Information literacy requires an understanding of the media landscape and knowledge about how to use our critical thinking skills in this landscape.

If we understand a little about how to verify information, it helps us analyze and evaluate the media we are consuming and interacting with and stops us from spreading misinformation.

Misinformation, disinformation and fake news

• Disinformation is information that is false or distorts reality. It is transmitted by means of mass media or social media. Its aim is to manipulate public opinion.
• Fake news is a publication that has the same structure as a news article, but contains exaggerated, distorted or false information. Fake news is a form of disinformation.
• Misinformation is information transmitted by mass media or social media that is considered to be truthful by the transmitter, but, in reality, distorts facts or is wrong.

Read more here: What is disinformation? (activities to do with learners)

Building lessons with practitioners

How can we verify the information we see online and make sure we are not spreading misinformation?

One place to find lessons to help us learn the skills and knowledge we need is MediaSmarts.

In this resource we explore part of a MediaSmarts lesson called Break the Fake: Verifying Information Online to help us build our resilience to online misinformation.

In this lesson, participants:

• Learn simple steps for verifying online information
• Practice verifying online information
• Understand digital literacy key concepts
• Create a media text