My friend shared a scary post. How do I check if it's real?
Check the claim, date and source before you pass a post on.
A friend can share a false post in good faith. A scary post can also be true. How it feels is not proof.
Start with one claim you can check. Find where it came from and whether it is still current.
For example, 'The park is closed today' may be a post from last year. A fresh share date does not make the old notice new.
- Pause before you share. Note the exact place, date and claim.
- Open the full source, if you can find it. Check the date of the event as well as the post.
- For a local service, check its own current notices through a known site or contact.
- Look for evidence behind other reports. Ten copies of one post are still one source.
- If you find an error, send your friend the source with a kind note. If it is unclear, say so instead of sharing it as fact.
This is a made-up post: 'The park is closed today.' No date or source is shown. Give me a short plan to check it. Do not invent a park, date or answer.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Try: 'I found a newer notice. Shall we check this one before we share?'
Sources and more help
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