The Internet has truly changed the way we live. Everything we need is on the Internet already. It has vast information to educate you in case you need to know something. Furthermore, is many people rely on the Internet as the source of news and information on events, tips, and advice. Needless to say, the Internet has had a great impact on our lives as is has brought convenience. However, just like a coin, there are two sides to it. 

If not used properly, the Internet can be destructive as people with ill intentions can use it to propagate fake news. This is particularly so because people rarely cross check the information they receive over the Internet. It is for this reason that scammers and fraudsters succeed. Have you ever wondered how you can do to stop the spread of fake news? Here are some tips on how to do it!  

“Lies sound like facts to those who’ve been conditioned to mis-recognize the truth.” ― DaShanne Stokes

 Evaluate the Source of Information

When reading an article or news on the Internet, it is important to evaluate whether the source is legitimate or not. You can succeed in this by looking at the website’s overall appearance. Here is a checklist: 

• Is the website’s name clear?
• Is the name of the website related to the content it delivers? For example, if the website is named “allaboutbeautyproducts.com”, does it deliver content about beauty? If it contains information about cooking, there is a high chance that it is not legit.
• Do they have a Facebook page or other social media accounts? Are these accounts active?
• Do they have a solid platform or audience?
• Does the website owners or administrators engage with the audience? 
• Do they have contact information such as a name, physical address (preferable if searchable in Google Map), an email address and telephone number?

These are just some of the questions that determine the credibility and integrity of a website.

 Disconnect from Facebook and Get Credible Information From Genuine Sites Instead

Social media outlets have become a major source of fake information. Almost everyone has an account, so he or she can post whatever he/she wishes—all it takes is a few clicks. Therefore, fake news spread like wildfire, causing irreparable harm at times. 

Hence, it is wise to disregard information that is spread through social media unless you are certain that it is legit. Seek confirmation from credible sources such as Huffington Post and HowStuffWorks, just to name but a few. Doing so will give you a different view of the world’s current events and enlighten you on what really is happening in our world.

 Always Search For Different Perspectives

As they say, there are always two sides of a story. Therefore, before passing your judgment, try to understand the other side of it to get a clearer picture. First weigh the matter from a neutral point to see whether the principle holds water. It is only through logical thinking tat you can determine whether it is true or fake.

Always be open-minded without being biased or judgmental. The more you stay on a neutral ground and remain objective rather than subjective, the better you are positioned to evaluate the issue. That way, once you share information, no one will blame you later. 

Regulating the circulation of news is definitely a challenging and sensitive topic. People usually violate their freedom of speech and sharing information. However, if you take the time to become a responsible netizen and will think thrice first before clicking “Share”, be certain that you have the facts.