Cross-Checking Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EzgKyU4uWv9m4NCJ9vGykXBnOfq0SLkGtGWAHVcvdk/edit?usp=sharing

Module Goal: What Seniors Should Learn

By the end of this module, you will know how to:

• Check if a website or article is trustworthy.

• Tell the difference between facts and opinions.

• Use simple steps to verify information before believing or sharing it.

• Recognize websites created by reliable organizations.

• Find trusted websites for health, government, and everyday information.

1.What Makes a Source Reliable?

A reliable source is a website or organization that:

• Clearly tells you who wrote the information.

• Uses facts, research, or evidence to support its claims.

• Has a good reputation for accuracy.

• Updates its information regularly.

• Corrects mistakes when they are found.

Reliable sources want to inform you, not trick you.

Examples of Reliable Sources

Government Websites (.gov)

Government websites provide official information about laws, benefits, health, taxes, weather, and more.

Examples include:

• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• NIH (National Institutes of Health)

• Medicare.gov

• IRS.gov

• USA.gov

• National Weather Service

Universities (.edu)

Colleges and universities often publish research, educational articles, and scientific information reviewed by experts.

Examples:

• Harvard University

• Cornell University

• University of Rochester

• Stanford University

• Rochester Institute of Technology

Major Nonprofit Organizations (.org)

Many nonprofit organizations provide trustworthy information on health, education, and safety.

Examples:

• American Heart Association

• American Cancer Society

• Alzheimer's Association

• American Red Cross

Established News Organizations

Well-known news organizations usually have professional editors and fact-checkers.

Examples include:

• Associated Press (AP)

• Reuters

• PBS News

• NPR

• BBC News

No news organization is perfect, so it's always a good idea to compare major stories across several trusted news outlets.

2.Understanding Website Domains

A domain is the ending of a website address. It can give you clues about who runs the website.

Common domains include:

• .gov = Government agencies

• .edu = Educational institutions

• .org = Usually nonprofit organizations

• .com = Businesses or companies (quality varies)

Remember: A domain alone does not guarantee a website is trustworthy. Always look at who created the information.

Examples of Less Reliable Sources

Be extra careful with information from:

• .com websites with no clear author

• Blogs or personal websites

• Social media posts (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, etc.)

• Clickbait articles

• Websites with lots of ads but very little evidence

• Websites pretending to be news by using unusual or misspelled website names

• AI-generated articles that do not list sources

What About Wikipedia?

Wikipedia can be useful for getting a quick overview of a topic.

However:

• Anyone can edit Wikipedia.

• Information may change at any time.

• Always check the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

• Do not rely on Wikipedia as your only source for important information.

3.Fact vs. Opinion

Knowing the difference between facts and opinions can help you avoid misinformation.

Fact

A fact can be proven with evidence.

Example:

Water freezes at 32°F (0°C).

Opinion

An opinion is what someone believes or feels.

Example:

Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla.

Some articles mix facts with opinions, so always look for supporting evidence.