Why This Matters
Misinformation spreads six times faster than accurate information on social media. When you share false information—even accidentally—you become part of the problem. But when you pause, verify, and share responsibly, you become part of the solution.
⚠️ The Cost of Misinformation
False health information has led to preventable deaths. Political misinformation has incited violence. Financial scams have ruined families. What you share matters.
Understanding Psychology Behind Social Media
Before you can effectively pause before sharing, it helps to understand why we're drawn to share in the first place. Social media platforms are designed to trigger specific psychological responses that make us want to share quickly—often without thinking.
🧠 Learn Why We Do What We Do
Understanding the psychology behind our online behavior is the first step to taking control. Discover how confirmation bias, emotional triggers, and social validation drive our sharing habits.
The SIFT Method
Before sharing anything, use the SIFT method developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield:
🔍 SIFT Checklist
- SStop — Don't immediately react or share. Take a breath.
- IInvestigate the source — Who created this? What's their expertise and motivation?
- FFind better coverage — What do other reputable sources say about this claim?
- TTrace claims — Where did this information originate? Can you find the original source?
Red Flags to Watch For
- Emotional headlines — If it makes you immediately angry or scared, pause. That's by design.
- No author or date — Legitimate news has bylines and publication dates.
- Unknown source — If you've never heard of the outlet, research it first.
- "They don't want you to know" — This conspiracy framing is a red flag.
- Too good (or bad) to be true — Extreme claims require extreme evidence.
- Shared by bots or new accounts — Check who's spreading it.
💡 Pro Tip: Reverse Image Search
See a shocking photo? Right-click and "Search image with Google" to see if it's been used before in a different context. Many viral images are old photos presented as new events.
What To Do When You've Shared Misinformation
We all make mistakes. If you realize you've shared something false:
- Delete the post — Remove it as quickly as possible
- Post a correction — Acknowledge the error publicly
- Don't make excuses — A simple "I shared incorrect information. Here's the truth:" is enough
- Learn from it — What red flags did you miss?
Your Responsibility as a Digital Citizen
In a democracy, informed citizens are essential. Every time you share accurate information, you strengthen our collective knowledge. Every time you stop misinformation, you protect your community.
Think before you share. Verify before you spread. Be part of the solution.