Evaluating misinformation
Misinformation isn’t new, but how quickly it spreads and how convincing it looks today has changed. Social media, AI, and other digital tools can accelerate false claims, but they also give us the power to evaluate and push back.
This section will help you build the skills to spot and question misinformation by strengthening your critical thinking, digital literacy, and source evaluation strategies.
Build your critical thinking and literacy skills
Going online can feel a bit like heading out on a hike. You wouldn’t just wander into the bush without a map, the right gear, or some idea of what to watch out for — and it’s the same in the digital world. The terrain might look familiar, but misinformation can be hidden in plain sight.
Critical thinking gives you the tools to navigate safely. It means asking questions like:
Who created this content and why?
Does it try to make me feel something strongly?
Is there evidence, or is it just opinion?
Digital literacy helps you make sense of the information ecosystem — from spotting credible sources to understanding how algorithms influence what you see. Together, these skills help you stop, think, and evaluate before you share.
Roadblocks evaluating information
We all bring our own lens to what we read, watch, and share. That lens is shaped by our experiences, culture, identity, and beliefs — and it plays a big role in what we accept as “true” or “fake.”
Two key concepts that explain how our perspectives influence what we believe are confirmation bias and echo chambers. Click through the slides below to learn more:
Finding reliable information
Being aware of our perspective is just the start, we also need to be intentional about where we get our information.
When you’re faced with a big question — whether it’s about health, world events, or a viral claim — where you look matters just as much as what you find.
Here are some simple ways to make sure you’re starting in the right place:
Start with trusted sources
- Use the Library’s databases for academic and peer-reviewed research.
- For current events, look at established news outlets that follow journalistic standards.
- For health info, try government and non-profit sites (e.g. health.gov.au, WHO).
Know what to avoid
- Be cautious with posts that come from anonymous sources or look like ads.
- If something looks sensational or too good to be true, it probably is.
Search outside your bubble
- Look for information from different perspectives and formats (news, reports, podcasts, academic papers).
- Don’t just rely on your social media feed, it shows you more of what you already engage with.
Tip
Just Googling a question can lead you down a rabbit hole. Try going straight to a source you know is trustworthy.
Spotting red flags – evaluating misinformation strategies
There’s a lot to think about when determining if a resource is false information. Click the plus icons to learn about red flags you can keep in mind when evaluating a resource:
Activity overview
This interactive image hotspot provides information to help determine if a resource contains false information. Each hotspot explores a strategy to evaluating a resource. Hotspots are displayed as plus (+) icons that can be clicked, to present the information.
Hotspot 1
Reflect don’t react
When viewing or reading a piece of information, don’t make a decision based on your initial reaction.
- Language and images can be used in a resource to trigger very strong emotional reactions. It can cause people to get angry or upset, which will draw them into engaging with that resource such as sharing it on social media.
- Text resources might include words like "shocking," "explosive," "outrageous," or "bizarre", to draw your attention.
- Information may make extraordinary claims, such as describing a product as a miracle drug, to get you to buy the product.
Hotspot 2
What’s the agenda?
By questioning who profits or benefits from the information you can spot potential bias or compromised information and data.
- Does the News Outlet or Social Media company have something to gain from promoting this content?
- Are you viewing sponsored content that is designed to look like a legitimate news story or social media post?
Hotspot 3
Credibility
Consider the credibility of where the information is published and who owns or created that information?
- Does the website you are on provide the users with information on who has published the website, such as an About or Contact page?
- If information is provided by an expert, are you able to check their background and history? It’s important to see if an expert is affiliated with a credible institution (such as a university or think tank).
- If information is based on research, what standard methodologies were used? Is the research published in reputable journals or information/news outlets?
Strategies and checklists
If you’re unsure whether to trust a source, the good news is that don’t need to figure it all out on your own. These strategies and checklists can help you decide what to trust.
- CRAAP Test – use the CRAAP test to review the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose of a resource.
- SIFT - Four things to do when looking at a resource: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace claims, quotes and media to the original context
- How To Spot Fake News - This infographic has 8 strategies to identify and evaluate misinformation.
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Fake News: How to Spot Misinformation - This NPR story has 5 effective tips for dealing with misinformation.
Note
Like any skill, evaluating information takes practice. Each time you pause, question, and check a source, you’re building your confidence.
Remember and reflect
Key takeaway
Pause, reflect, and evaluate before you trust or share. Misinformation is often designed to bypass your critical thinking. Slowing down helps you spot emotional triggers, weak evidence, and unreliable sources.
Consider
What makes something feel trustworthy to you? Is it the source, the message, or how it aligns with your own beliefs? Being aware of your biases is part of being a thoughtful evaluator.