Critical thinking

• Is this a reputable, safe, helpful source?
• Do you trust everything you read online?
• Does it seem too good to be true? 
• Is everything we see online always realistic? 

You can find out if something is untrue by reading the post carefully and then double checking information through your own web searches.

This can reveal the facts of the story and not the information the author wants you to believe. Is the language based on facts? Or opinion? Do the images look real? Or photoshopped? Is important information missing? Are they trying to persuade you by using celebrities or famous people?

You can search the top or bottom of an article to find out who the author is.

Genuine authors put their name to their work and usually have a social media presence or other information available through web searches for you to learn more about their experience and motivations.

You can look up an author’s other work through your own web searches.

By clicking on their name in the article a list of their other stories and a personal bio may come up. A web search of their name can also provide more information.

You can check if an article is reliable by looking at what website it is posted on.

Is the article from a genuine news organisation? Is it just an opinion? Who is responsible for the website? Is the site trying to influence you or sell you something?

You can check how recent material is by looking for the date it was published — usually located near the title or at the bottom of the page.

More up to date information may provide current answers. You can also seek more recent opinions through your own web searches.

You can check other sources to see if there are different opinions on the topic.

Informing yourself ensures that you have the most accurate and up to date knowledge. This could be through web searches, online newspapers, news and media. You can also talk to friends, family and other people in your community to see what they think about a subject.

You can check information using a website that’s made to check for facts.

Websites like factcheck.org, hoax-slayer.com or snopes.com look for online scams, made up stories, rumours and urban myths.

You can think about the person’s motives behind the information they are sharing.

People can put or say virtually anything online so remember that it might not always be true. Think about the reasons for the article or post. Are they just trying to push their own views or have a hidden agenda? Are they being honest or factual about the topic? Or are they trying to persuade you? Change your views?

You can think before you repost something or follow groups or pages.

Consider the consequences of posting or sharing information you find in groups or pages. Is what they are saying too good to be true? Is the information genuine or accurate? How could your photos be used or shared by other people? Could your post impact your reputation?

You can be cautious of the motivations and identities of people you meet or interact with online.

Is it likely to be too good to be true? Could it be harmful, and can you trust the person who shared it? Be aware of people who try to influence you to behave in unsafe or illegal ways. People might not always have your best interests at heart. Think carefully about what they are offering—is it really right for you?

You can be aware of the types of misleading or deceptive material available online.

Be alert to things like fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, trolls, ‘catfishing’, and scams. Know what these things are and what they might look like. People can try to influence you by saying things like ‘everyone is doing it’, blaming or judging other groups of people, trying to convince you life will be perfect by doing something, or forcing you to take a stand between two different beliefs or opinions.

You can reflect on how you make decisions and good choices.

Use the same logic and judgement you would in ‘real-life’ to make decisions online. It’s important to make the right decision for you. It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes. It’s also okay to change your mind.

You can remember that you may not be able to tell for sure if something is real or fake.

Don’t be hard on yourself if you get it wrong sometimes. There is always something you can do — it’s never too late. There are people who can help.

• Report false or illegal content. There’s more info about how to do this in our eSafety Guide.
• Talk to Kids Helpline (for ages 5 to 25 years) — you can chat confidentially about anything big or small. You don’t have to deal with it alone.
• If you don’t think you can trust the information or poster, then don’t repost, comment, or reply to them. Delete any false or misleading information from your own social media accounts or blogs.
• Speak to a trusted friend or adult — they may provide you with a new viewpoint or ideas for how to resolve your questions or worries.
• If it’s serious, report it to the police. If someone online is pressuring you to do things you wouldn’t normally do, is promoting violent ideas, or trying to convince you to go against your family or friends, talk to someone you trust. It’s never too late to get help.
• Block users if you feel that they pose a risk to you or others, or if they are being aggressive and trying to force their own ideas onto you.