Sort Fact from Fiction Online with Lateral Reading

Summary

In an age of information overload, discerning the truth requires critical evaluation of digital sources. The Stanford History Education Group's study reveals that many, even the intelligent, are misled by surface-level cues like aesthetics and official-looking logos. Professional fact checkers, however, employ 'lateral reading,' cross-referencing information across the web to verify credibility. This method, proven effective in educational settings, empowers individuals to navigate the web more astutely, fostering a more informed society.

Takeaways

• 📚 We are in an era of information overabundance, requiring discernment in evaluating digital information.
• 🔍 The Stanford History Education Group's study revealed differences in how people evaluate online content.
• 🎓 Intelligent individuals often evaluate websites by reading vertically and focusing on aesthetics, which can be misleading.
• 🏛️ Many are deceived by official-looking logos or .org URLs, not realizing their open nature and lack of verification.
• 🔎 Professional fact checkers read laterally, cross-referencing information across different sources instead of relying on a single site.
• 📰 Fact checkers use broader web resources like news articles and Wikipedia to verify the credibility of a source.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Lateral reading is a more effective approach than vertical reading, as it involves cross-checking information.
• 📈 Lateral reading can be taught and improves students' ability to judge websites accurately.
• 📋 Traditional digital literacy methods often involve long checklists and don't prioritize cross-referencing.
• 🌐 Becoming skilled at lateral reading requires practice, exposure to various sources, and knowledge of reliable news outlets.

Q & A

What is the main challenge discussed in the Stanford History Education Group's study?

The main challenge is the overabundance of information on the internet, which demands that people be more discerning and question the credibility of sources.

What did the study involve in terms of participants?

The study involved Stanford undergraduates, professors from four different universities, and professional fact checkers.

What was the common mistake made by intelligent people when evaluating websites?

Intelligent people often evaluated websites by reading vertically, focusing on the site's aesthetics, graphics, and overall appearance, and were deceived by official-looking logos or .org in the URL.

Why is the .org domain misleading in the context of evaluating websites?

The .org domain is misleading because it is an open domain that can be purchased by any individual or group without a character test or proof of working for social betterment.

How do professional fact checkers differ in their approach to evaluating websites?

Professional fact checkers approach the web by reading laterally, opening new tabs, and cross-referencing information from multiple sources rather than relying on a single site.

What is lateral reading and how does it help in evaluating digital information?

Lateral reading is the practice of cross-referencing information from multiple sources to evaluate the credibility of a website. It helps in finding better information online and becoming a more informed member of society.

What was the result of the study when comparing the ability of bright Stanford students to professional fact checkers?

Only 40% of bright Stanford students were able to make the link to Richard Berman, whereas 100% of the fact checkers did, often in a fraction of the time, demonstrating the effectiveness of lateral reading.

How can lateral reading be taught and improved?

Lateral reading can be taught through civic online reasoning lessons, which help students significantly increase their ability to accurately judge websites. Becoming skilled at it takes practice, seeing examples, and knowing when to identify reliable or unreliable sources.

What is the difference between lateral reading and traditional methods for teaching digital literacy?

Traditional methods focus on long checklists of questions and keep students' eyes on a single site before establishing its credibility, whereas lateral reading encourages cross-referencing and evaluating information from multiple sources.

Why is it important to teach students lateral reading skills?

Teaching students lateral reading skills is important because it helps them to find better information online, become more discerning consumers of digital content, and contribute to a more informed and thoughtful society.

What is the role of critical thinking skills in the context of evaluating digital information?

Critical thinking skills are essential in evaluating digital information as they enable individuals to question the credibility of sources, look beyond surface-level appearances, and cross-verify information to make informed judgments.