Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how vital it is to combat misinformation. The spread of "fake news" during the pandemic, made easier by social media platforms, led to a plethora of unnecessary and harmful outcomes for millions of people globally. Not just in the wake of a pandemic, but every day, we must utilize the resources available to us to employ due diligence and responsibility when consuming and sharing information. Even when shared unintentionally, the spread of misinformation can have a massive impact on public health, democracy, and safety.
You can SIFT through information to verify its credibility! Visit the resource below to learn more about the SIFT method:
- SIFT (The Four Moves)Mike Caulfield is a research scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, where he studies the spread of online rumors and misinformation. Creator of the SIFT methodology, he has taught thousands of teachers and students how to verify claims and sources through his workshops.