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The internet can be a tricky place to navigate.
How do you know if what you are reading online is true? Do you know how to distinguish between information that is safe to follow and share with your friends versus information that might harm you or them? It is important to understand how to identify fake news, misinformation and disinformation online, so you can protect yourself and people that matter to you.
What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation? The difference between misinformation and disinformation lies in the intent of the person or organization sharing the information. Misinformation is false information spread by well-meaning people; they think the story they’re sharing is true but did not verify it. Disinformation is false information spread by someone who knows the information is false, but wants you to believe it’s true. That’s why wikiHow created free courses on both topics to help you understand and protect yourself from the negative effects that false information creates.
How to Spot and Counter Misinformation Online
Everybody knows somebody who shares misleading or questionable posts. But many of us have shared misinformation without knowing it. Take this course to help slow the spread of harmful misinformation online and protect your friends and family too.
- 5 lessons, 15–20 minutes each, delivered daily to your email inbox
- Or download all 5 lessons as a PDF
- Understand when to share information
- Check your sources for authenticity
- Resist popular myths and fake news
- Have a healthy relationship with the internet
- Respond to misinformation
How to Spot and Counter Disinformation Online
Anyone can post something online and reach thousands of people. Sometimes, it's disinformation — which is created to trick you into believing something that isn't true. This can be dangerous and all of us can help stop it spreading. Take this course to help you recognize disinformation, stop its spread, and help protect your community.
- 5 lessons, 15–20 minutes each, delivered daily to your email inbox
- Or download all 5 lessons as a PDF
- Recognize disinformation and why it spreads
- Recognize emotional, dramatic, and provocative content
- Understand the danger of fabricated claims and selective evidence
- Protect yourself from bots and trolls
- Spot hacked accounts and protect your own accounts
Collaborating on Climate Change
wikiHow and United Nations Verified are excited to bring you engaging and informative climate change resources. These articles will enhance your understanding, help you engage in meaningful conversations, and empower you to contribute to positive change. Join us today to expand your knowledge and take steps toward a better future.
- Understand what climate change is—and what it isn’t.
- Discover how climate change affects our lives.
- Equip yourself to engage in meaningful discussions about climate change.
- Explore ways to address climate change in your daily life.
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Understand the Difference Between Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fake News
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React to Upsetting Posts Online
Unfortunately, it's pretty common for upsetting and disturbing posts and videos to circulate online. Stumbling across these posts can be difficult and triggering and you may be wondering how you can h...
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Report Misinformation
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Talk to Your Children About Online Misinformation
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About the Partnership
wikiHow and the United Nations Verified Campaign have partnered to provide free, and fact-based online educational resources that better the world. Through our award-winning partnership, our free courses and articles on information- sharing empower readers to engage with online media responsibly.
Verified was launched by the United Nations and distributes trusted, accurate information to reduce the spread of misinformation online. Led by the UN Department for Global Communications, Verified produces compelling, shareable content around three themes: science – to save lives; solidarity – to promote local and global cooperation; and solutions – to advocate support for impacted populations. Businesses, civil society, and organizations like wikiHow collaborate with Verified to spread information that protects global communities
wikiHow is the world’s largest website helping every person on the planet learn how to do anything. We collaborate with 1,500+ experts to ensure the credibility of our content; partners like Verified are key to giving our readers the accurate, trusted content they need in today’s world. Helping people confidently navigate the internet is of paramount importance now more than ever, and we’re here to help.
World Changing Ideas Deserve Some Recognition. wikiHow’s courses on how to spot and counter misinformation and disinformation have been recognized by Fast Company’s annual World Changing Ideas Award, which honors organizations that develop creative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time. How to Spot and Counter Disinformation was selected as a 2023 honorable mention and How to Spot and Counter Misinformation was selected as a 2022 World Changing Idea.
Through continued innovation and partnership with United Nations Verified, we are proud to make the Internet a safer place for everyone. These free courses have empowered thousands of people to learn how to protect themselves by identifying and acting on fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. With this award, wikiHow has been recognized as a forward-thinking company, actively tackling global challenges and changing the way we work, live, and interact with the world.
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