False and misleading information is rampant online. And in an election year, Americans will face a deluge of inaccurate, incomplete, or manipulated content.
Research shows that older generations are less likely to recognize and prevent the flow of misinformation. This is especially important because older Americans are more likely than younger people to vote, so their skills in identifying false or misleading content can affect democratic processes.
A new RAND tool provides some valuable tips for this group (and anyone consuming information online):
Read across sources. Corroborate evidence through multiple websites or sources rather than readily believing information from a single source.
Resist emotional manipulation. Emotionally charged content travels fast. Take time to reflect and think critically about what you're reading before you like, share, or comment.
Take personal responsibility. Remember that everyone plays a crucial role in stopping the spread of false and misleading content.
Employing these strategies can help reduce the impact of bad information during the election cycle, create a more informed society, and, ultimately, protect democracy.
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