Due to the fact that virtually anyone can publish information online (through websites, blogs, social media, etc.), the internet has become filled with disinformation, conspiracy theories, and biased content. This alarming trend is known as information disorder:
Image: "3 Types of Information Disorder" by Claire Wardle & Hossein Derakshan, CC BY NC ND 3.0
Often times, the most sensational, divisive, or outrage-inducing content (aka, "clickbait") is what gets our attention. Knowing this, online content providers develop algorithms and information designed to keep us engaged, while simultaneously polarizing individuals and filtering out opposing viewpoints.
The current online information landscape can be overwhelming, and most people have difficulty knowing how to differentiate truth from disinformation. While a variety of checklists and evaluation tools have been developed over the years, the SIFT method has been proven as a quick and effective way to fact-check online sources.
Read more about information disorder and different types of false content here.