Nov 10, 2023·edited Nov 10, 2023Liked by shit you should care about
This is a great article, thanks! I work as an academic librarian and a big part of my job involves teaching 'information literacy'. Historically we would teach students tools to use for information evaluation when they are seeking information but over the past few years it's becoming increasingly apparent that we need to teach students how to evaluate information that finds them.
I really like the work of a misinformation researcher called Mike Caulfield - he created the SIFT method which encourages us to open a new tab and google the organisation/website/creator providing the info, spending a few seconds learning about them and their reputation from a trusted third part - wikipedia is a great source for this. It's so simple but it can make a huge difference, especially when there are so many sites that appear at first glance to be reputable with a nice logo and appropriate looking URL but a quick glimpse at their wikipedia shows they're a fringe group known for hate speech (e.g. the american college of pediatricians).
Hard to get into the habit to do this myself when scrolling tiktok etc but it's so important. I really recommend looking into the SIFT method if you are looking for a simple way to fight mis and dis info in your own life.
I've heard my dad say "I read somewhere..." and then tell me something I told him last week that I saw on TikTok! And I'm guilty of it too. Telling people half baked stats I heard on social media. Icky. Thanks for this piece
Really enjoyed this - but I would argue that this all started way before even TikTok..... Twitter really became a huge way for people to receive new information in real time. You could quickly get a pulse on not only the news, but the public reaction to it (which I may add, is likely what people are more interested in). TikTok just added a visual element that allowed people to understand this news a step further, still within a short amount of time. Crazy how much social media has influenced how we think about, feel about and relay the news!
yes! Twitter used to be the place I did this, but with it's impending death (and TikToks increasing relevance/ crazy algo/ younger userbase) I'm feeling it SO much rn!!
I love this whole article!! Obsessed with the questions it’s asking and the answers it leads us to. I’m so guilty of saying “I read somewhere...” and then later in the day remembering the video I actually saw. I wonder aside from misinformation what the other core issues would be with this? Or if there are more hidden perks than what’s we discussed ?? I know for me (queer woman) I love being able to hear about articles from people on TikTok who live similar lives to me because often it validates feelings I’ve had but haven’t had the time to unpack! Rather than some old dude on Chanel 7 telling me a different perspective with the same “facts”. Is this relatable ??
This is a great article, thanks! I work as an academic librarian and a big part of my job involves teaching 'information literacy'. Historically we would teach students tools to use for information evaluation when they are seeking information but over the past few years it's becoming increasingly apparent that we need to teach students how to evaluate information that finds them.
I really like the work of a misinformation researcher called Mike Caulfield - he created the SIFT method which encourages us to open a new tab and google the organisation/website/creator providing the info, spending a few seconds learning about them and their reputation from a trusted third part - wikipedia is a great source for this. It's so simple but it can make a huge difference, especially when there are so many sites that appear at first glance to be reputable with a nice logo and appropriate looking URL but a quick glimpse at their wikipedia shows they're a fringe group known for hate speech (e.g. the american college of pediatricians).
Hard to get into the habit to do this myself when scrolling tiktok etc but it's so important. I really recommend looking into the SIFT method if you are looking for a simple way to fight mis and dis info in your own life.
becca this is a GREAT hot tip I'm obsessed!!!
I've heard my dad say "I read somewhere..." and then tell me something I told him last week that I saw on TikTok! And I'm guilty of it too. Telling people half baked stats I heard on social media. Icky. Thanks for this piece
yes!!! Dads are certainly not immune!
Really enjoyed this - but I would argue that this all started way before even TikTok..... Twitter really became a huge way for people to receive new information in real time. You could quickly get a pulse on not only the news, but the public reaction to it (which I may add, is likely what people are more interested in). TikTok just added a visual element that allowed people to understand this news a step further, still within a short amount of time. Crazy how much social media has influenced how we think about, feel about and relay the news!
yes! Twitter used to be the place I did this, but with it's impending death (and TikToks increasing relevance/ crazy algo/ younger userbase) I'm feeling it SO much rn!!
I love this whole article!! Obsessed with the questions it’s asking and the answers it leads us to. I’m so guilty of saying “I read somewhere...” and then later in the day remembering the video I actually saw. I wonder aside from misinformation what the other core issues would be with this? Or if there are more hidden perks than what’s we discussed ?? I know for me (queer woman) I love being able to hear about articles from people on TikTok who live similar lives to me because often it validates feelings I’ve had but haven’t had the time to unpack! Rather than some old dude on Chanel 7 telling me a different perspective with the same “facts”. Is this relatable ??
SO AGREED AND SO RELATABLE
Lol it's the opposite for me. I go to other places to see what's been going on on tik tok - still refuse to download it 😅😅
Learning something new every day. We are so quick to say “oh I heard somewhere”….babe the “somewhere” is Tik Tok. So insightful!