How do you verify if something is actually true?
"A photo shows aliens landing!" "This miracle cure works!" Before sharing or believing, STOP. Check it! Fact-checking isn't just for journalists - it's a skill everyone needs. Here's how to be your own fact-checker!
Stop - Don't share immediately!
Investigate the source - Who's behind this?
Find better coverage - What do reliable sources say?
Trace to original - Find the primary source!
Takes 30 seconds, saves you from spreading misinformation!
For photos/videos: Use Google Image Search or TinEye!
Upload the image to see:
(1) When was it FIRST posted?
(2) What's the ORIGINAL context?
(3) Has it been ALTERED?
Many "shocking" images are old, fake, or misrepresented!
ONE source saying something = suspicious!
MULTIPLE independent, credible sources = more likely true
Look for: Do major news outlets report this? What do experts say? Can you find the original study/document?
If only sketchy sites report it... red flag!
Professional fact-checkers already investigated many viral claims!
Check: Snopes, FactCheck.org, PolitiFact, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check.
Search "[claim] fact check" - often someone already debunked it!
Fact-checking means actively verifying claims BEFORE believing or sharing them!
Quick fact-check protocol:
1. Stop: Pause before sharing
2. Question: Does this seem too good/bad to be true?
3. Search: "[claim] + fact check" or "[claim] + debunk"
4. Verify source: Who originally said this?
5. Check date: Is this current or old news resurfacing?
6. Cross-reference: Do multiple reliable sources confirm?
For images/videos:
• Reverse image search
• Check metadata (when/where taken)
• Look for signs of editing
• Find original context
Red flags:
• Too shocking/perfect
• Appeals to emotion strongly
• Vague "sources say"
• Asks you to share quickly
• Only on unknown sites
Remember: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence!" The burden of proof is on the CLAIMANT, not the skeptic!
Your superpower: 30 seconds of checking prevents spreading lies!
🤔 Which thinking lens(es) did you use?
Select all the lenses you used:
🌱 A Small Everyday Story
"Dad! This video shows a shark in a flooded highway!"
"Whoa! Let's check it. Reverse image search..."
"It says this was from 2011? But the flood was yesterday!"
"Old images, new stories. Good catch!"
"So it's fake?"
"The shark is real - just not from this flood."
See more guidance →
🧠 Thinking habits this builds:
- Pausing before sharing
- Verifying claims independently
- Using fact-checking tools
- Tracing claims to original sources
🌿 Behaviors you may notice (and reinforce):
- Saying "Let me check that first"
- Using reverse image search
- Looking for multiple sources
- Questioning viral content
How to reinforce: "You didn't just believe it - you checked! That's exactly what fact-checkers do professionally."
🔄 When ideas are still forming:
Children might think fact-checking is too hard or takes too long. Show them the 30-second version!
Helpful response: "Let's fact-check together - it only takes a few seconds to search '[claim] fact check'!"
🔬 If you want to go deeper:
- Practice reverse image searching together
- Compare a viral claim with fact-checker findings
- Explore the SIFT method step by step
Key concepts (for adults): SIFT method, reverse image search, fact-checking sites, verification, cross-referencing.