How to know if a news story is real
You will learn quick ways to check a story before you believe or share it.
Not everything online is true. Some stories are made up to fool or upset us. A quick check keeps you from being tricked.
See if other trusted news sites report the same thing. If only one odd site has it, be careful. Real news shows up in many places.
Look at the date and the source. Old stories get shared as if new. A site you have never heard of needs extra care.
Strong feelings are a clue to slow down. If a story makes you very angry or scared, pause before you share it.
- Pause before you believe or share it.
- Search the topic and see who else reports it.
- Check the date so it is not an old story.
- Notice if it is trying to upset you on purpose.
- Ask ChatGPT to help you find the facts to check.
I saw a news story online and I am not sure it is true. Here is what it says: [paste the story here]. What should I check to find out if it is real?
Paste it into ChatGPT, then change the words in brackets to fit you. It opens in a new tab, so you will not lose this page.
If a story makes you very emotional, that is your cue to slow down and check.