Checklist: Lesson 7 - Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
Evaluating Online Information (SIFT Method)
Stop: Pause before sharing or believing information
Investigate the source: Check who created the content and their expertise
Find better coverage: Verify information with other reputable sources
Trace claims, quotes, and media to their original context
Recognizing Red Flags in Online Content
Source-Related: Check for anonymous authorship, unclear organizational structure, recent creation
Content-Related: Watch for sensationalist headlines, unsourced claims, ideological alignment
Emotional Red Flags: Notice content that triggers strong emotions or urges immediate sharing
Using Digital Verification Tools
Consult fact-checking websites for viral claims
Use reverse image search to verify authenticity of images
Investigate website credibility through WHOIS lookups and “About” pages
Access academic and specialized search tools for reliable information
Check Media Bias/Fact Check for assessments of news sources
Navigating Social Media Critically
Understand how algorithms curate your information diet
Follow diverse sources representing different perspectives
Create systems to ensure you see content from trusted sources
Develop a pre-sharing checklist (read beyond headlines, verify source, etc.)
Take regular breaks from social media to reset your information diet
Misinformation Management
Identify different types of problematic information (misinformation, disinformation, malinformation)
Recognize factors that make false information viral
Develop strategies for responding to misinformation without amplifying it
Build a network of trusted sources in different domains
Practice teaching others verification skills rather than just contradicting false claims