You are reading the Original Version (CLB5+) Read Simple Version (CLB3-4) Most of us rely on the information we get on the internet. It’s easy, and we get our answers quickly. We ask the internet about everything! It has become almost second nature to us to Google something when we need answers. We check the weather, traffic and current events or look for the right product, job, or service online. Nowadays, we also get information on social media and even from blogs or online journals and share them with our friends and family. With online information touching almost every aspect of our lives, it’s crucial that what we get is factual, accurate and reliable. How do you know if the online information you’re getting is reliable or accurate? These sites are run by government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and established businesses. For example, if you need statistics about Canada’s population, immigration, or any other aspect of Canadian life, your best source would be Statistics Canada. Do you need news and current events? Go to legitimate news sites like CBC or CTV. These sites usually have an About Us page that will tell you who owns or runs the site, the principles they follow, and the people who gather and write content. They have this information to show that they are accountable for whatever they put on their webpages. For examples of reliable sources go to 10 websites every Manitoban newcomer should bookmark. Not everything we need can be found on the sites mentioned in #1. When we search for information, we usually click on the top five websites Google suggests from the search. To check if a website is reliable: Don’t believe everything you read online. Use your critical thinking skills to evaluate online information. Ask these questions: Wikipedia is great, especially if you just want a general idea about a certain topic. However, Wikipedia entries are “editable” meaning anybody can change them. Some Wikipedia pages may be a mixed bag of real and imagined (or unverified) information. If you want to be taken seriously, it would be a good policy to refrain from citing Wikipedia in scholarly work, researches, reports, or generally any work that needs solid references. People think that when an article is shared or liked on social media often enough, it must be true. This is why it’s so easy for fake news to spread on social media. Don’t be one of those people who share or retweet fake news. You will not be helping your community. Spreading wrong information can also damage your credibility. Be a good example! Read thoughtfully and practice critical thinking. Do you want to see how well you can tell fake news from real news? Try this free game: Factitious Read 5 quick tips for navigating the internet like a pro for more digital literacy tips. CBC has launched a Chat Bot which will guide you through five weeks of learning about avoiding “fake news”. Start the chat by typing “guide” to CBC News on Messenger. Please login to tell us what you think.Skip to:
5 steps to getting accurate and reliable information:
Stick to sites from established institutions
Check if it’s a legitimate website
Evaluating websites from GCSCL LibraryBe a discerning reader
Don’t rely on Wikipedia
Don’t share if not sure
Bonus:
Sources: Media literacy and fake news, Kerry Gallagher, J.D. and Larry Magid, Ed. D., Connect Safely; How and why to avoid sharing fake news, Connect Safely; How to find a reliable online source, Canadian Encyclopedia; and How to spot real and fake news, Mind Tools. Retrieved February 7, 2019.Community Resources
We'd love to hear from you!