How to Spot Fake News and Misinformation Before You Share It

Misinformation spreads because it triggers emotions faster than it triggers critical thinking. A shocking headline makes you want to share before you finish reading. Before sharing any claim that surprises or outrages you, check three things: the source, whether other reputable outlets report the same story, and the date. Old stories get recirculated as if they are new, and satire gets shared as fact.

Be especially skeptical of screenshots of tweets, out-of-context quotes, and statistics without sources. If a story perfectly confirms what you already believe, that is when you should be most careful — confirmation bias makes us most gullible when the lie flatters our worldview. Taking thirty seconds to verify before sharing is not being slow; it is being responsible.