In today’s fast-paced social media landscape, you must be wise when sharing new information you have just received. Before believing it or passing it on as factual, take a moment to ensure its accuracy. Here’s a guide to help you discern the credibility of posts you’re encouraged to share with your friends:
1. How old is the information? A quick search can reveal whether the post is based on outdated warnings or myths that have been circulating. Many alarming messages are recycled falsehoods that lack current relevance.
2. If you are tempted to share something that another Social Media shared, ask that source where they found the original post. Investigate the original poster’s profile. Are they credible? Look at their timeline or Instagram account. Do their posts seem legitimate, or do they appear suspicious? Signs of a possibly unreliable source include new accounts with no history, unusual friends lists, an emphasis on selling products, and questionable profile pictures (Wealthy, glamorous, military general, etc.). Trust your instincts—if it feels off, it probably is.
3 Investigate the authority the source claims to have: What authority does the source claim? Verify whether it’s an official organization like a police department, health service, or reputable medical institution. Look for police case file information and police department phone numbers. If you’re in a rush and don’t want to take the time to confirm the details, please don’t share that information.
4 Does the information align with other trustworthy and reputable sources? For example, if they claim to have new information that no one else has, they claim they can’t share their sources to protect them.
Suppose you are protesting as you read this: “I don’t have time to do all that research.” Then, I suggest you not share those articles or memes that urge you to share their information with all your friends.
5 What’s their angle? Why is this source presenting the information in a specific way? Look out for potential biases or motivations. Are they trying to sell something or push a particular agenda?
Wise Social Media users verify the information they share and ensure its credibility before sharing.
6 If the content is faith-related, does the source align with sound doctrine and biblical teachings? Is the content presented in such a way that invokes fear or uses sensationalist tactics, like excessive capitalization and exclamation marks? Does their video’s thumbnail look scary?
If in doubt, follow the examples of the Bereans: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11
By following these steps, you can help protect yourself and your friends from the spread of misinformation. Share wisely!
©2025 Katherine Walden
Yes, this graphic is AI-generated. Perhaps this helps prove my point.