CSA Online How to protect yourself from fake news: seven practical tips Unfortunately, fake news is probably with us to stay – at least until the technology that checks facts catches up with technology that creates fakes. In the meantime, here are some practical tips regarding how you can protect yourself: Think twice Fake news is intended to short-circuit critical thinking by provoking a strong, immediate, emotional reaction. If you find yourself viewing something that makes you outraged or shocked, take a 30-second pause before you react and allow your brain to catch up with your emotions. Check the source Ask yourself whenever you come across a story or post or image that seems sensational or unbelievable: who’s the source? Is it reputable? Is it a real person, with a real track record? If not, then it’s best to take it with a grain of salt. Where else is this being reported? If an event is real, major news outlets will almost certainly be reporting on it. If you ever wonder whether something you’ve read really happened, check out national newspaper websites, or your local TV stations, or public broadcasters such as the CBC. Reverse image search If a photo looks dramatic or doctored, right-click it and select “Search image” to reveal whether the photo has been used elsewhere in a completely different context – something that would have helped viewers of the Abraham Lincoln “non-disaster” above. Check with the fact-checkers Several reliable websites function as fact-checkers for sensational news, conspiracy theories and political claims. When in doubt, check with Snopes.com, PolitiFact or the fact-checking sections of traditional news outlets such as the New York Times, the CBC or the BBC. Beware the share Sad but true: well-meaning people unknowingly spread misinformation every day. Just because a post or video has a lot of likes, shares or thumbs-ups, don’t assume that it has extra credibility or authenticity. Update your devices and software A simple step that can keep you safe from fraudsters who use clickbait headlines, manipulated posts and sensationalized images to execute financial scams. A final word on fake news... No doubt about it: technology is evolving rapidly and reality is having a hard time keeping up. But the antidote has been around for a long time: a healthy sense of skepticism and some good old common sense. Ultimately, slowing down, asking questions and thinking critically is the best way to protect your privacy, your personal finances and your peace of mind. CSANews | SUMMER 2026 | 45
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx