Few could deny that the internet age has been revolutionary when it comes to getting information, with access to endless knowledge about almost anything right at your fingertips.
However, there is a slight downside to the rise of social media sites, such as the fact that misinformation can spread easily.
With so many news sources out there, it can be hard to sift through them all and get to the truth. Internet users should, therefore, have some measures in place to protect themselves from being tricked by misinformation or obfuscated facts.
US Election is a Good Time to Ensure You Get Solid Information
There are certain world events that you have to be more careful about than others. The US presidential election, for instance, is a major talking point around the globe. Indeed, there are even politics betting markets, offering bettors the chance to wager on who they think will win.
The US election betting odds currently have Donald Trump at 8/11 and Kamala Harris at 11/10. That suggests that bookies think itโs going to be a close contest between the two candidates. However, different people will have other ideas about this depending on what news they consume.
For example, people who often read and listen to left-leaning outlets may think that Harris is a shoo-in for the White House. On the other side of the coin, internet users whose algorithm is more right leaning may feel like Trump is a dead cert.
Itโs harder than ever to know what the truth is due to the endless sources of information online, and the fact that social media algorithms curate your newsfeed in a particular way. Therefore, you should try to read and listen to news from a variety of sources. You can use this method to verify facts and avoid falling for any misinformation.
Watch Out for News That Plays on Your Emotions
Misinformation can flourish online because itโs usually designed to play on your emotions and make you feel a certain way to an event. Wise internet users remain cautious of headlines that seem exaggerated or designed to provoke a certain feeling. A lot of the time, itโs best to avoid this type of news altogether.
If you do look at sensationalist news articles, make sure you pause and verify before sharing. If you do click that button and post it to your own socials, you could become part of the problem. Itโs also important that you understand how the algorithms work on sites like X. You can customise your news feed by clicking on diverse and sensible sources, showing the algorithm that you want to engage with a wide range of content that can often challenge your existing viewpoints.
The main thing that all internet users need to know is that misinformation is out there. By being sensible and following a few simple rules, you can protect yourself against it and ensure youโre getting an unbiased viewpoint on major events. Make sure you think twice before sharing online, so you can avoid becoming a spreader of false information.