You don’t have to scroll too far or search too long to find something that makes you go hmmmmm?? Confusing and misleading information is easy to find and when it comes to our health this can not only be puzzling but damaging. So damaging in fact, that in 2024, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the Surgeon General of the United States, labeled misinformation related to health as a threat saying, “Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts.”
The next question you may be asking yourself is how? How do I know if the information I seek is true, honest, or reliable? One tip can help you navigate this and dig deeper into what you are looking at. Ready for it?
Be Curious! It can be that simple.
Pausing and being curious about the source of information, who the author is, or where the source is from can help you determine if the information you are reading is real.
Another way to be curious is to click away from the story and explore. This can reveal the source of what you are reading, the age of the information, the mission of the organization providing the information, or the author’s credibility.
While you are exploring, be curious beyond the headline. Sometimes a headline can be outrageous. This may be done to get attention or so people will click on the link. This is known as clickbait and is done with the intention of getting you to click on it and doesn’t always provide the whole story. Reading beyond the headline provides more information and can help determine the credibility of what you are looking at.
Lastly, be curious enough to ask questions outside of the internet. If you have health-related questions checking with your provider may be safe and useful to your health. Consider who the experts are that you know or have access to and reach out to them for advice beyond the Internet. When you are considering who you can reach out to for accurate and timely information, don’t forget about your local extension offices. They can provide research-based information on agriculture, gardening, pests, youth development, parenting, food safety, budgeting, and more.
Navigating the amount of information we encounter in a day can be overwhelming and confusing, but exploring your natural curiosity can help. I love the reminder from President Lincoln, “The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you never know if they are genuine.” Good luck and happy browsing!
Written By:
Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County, barton.345@osu.edu
Reviewed By:
Zoie Clay, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Lawrence County, clay.256@osu.edu