Do you remember when the internet first arrived in your home? Maybe you were an adult using it for work, or a teen chatting with your friends on AOL, or maybe you were born with the internet at your fingertips. I was no older than thirteen, and it felt like a gateway to endless knowledge. To say it was exhilarating realizing that the answers to every single curious question in my head were right at my fingertips would be an understatement.

Then came the smart phone, and that ever flowing source of knowledge was in my pocket and I haven’t slept a full night since. Now I have a constant stream of entertainment, information, news, and social interactions on demand 24/7. This shift from the excitement of discovery to the overwhelm of information overload is a perfect example of why critical thinking has become so crucial. With so much information at our fingertips, it’s more important than ever to navigate it wisely, filter out the noise, and focus on what is actually being said.

With this conveyor belt of information has come with it an increase of speed. We have been trained to expect information immediately and continuously, so when we have a question, it’s tempting to take the first piece of advice we find online at face value. But with so many sources out there, ranging from Video channels, blogs, AI-generated content,and podcasts, it’s essential to approach information with a critical eye.

I learned this firsthand during a Google search that left me both surprised and grateful for the little voice in my head that said, “Wait a minute.”

Consider the Source and Their Agenda

A few months ago I was searching for solutions for dorsocervical fat pads—also known as bison humps or neck humps. Like many of us, I went straight to Google, clicked on the first hit, and found myself on a page decidedly stating that these fat pads were incurable without plastic surgery. I felt discouraged before a little alarm bell went off in my head, and I decided to check the website itself. That’s when I realized it was a plastic surgery site, and suddenly, their “advice” made a lot more sense.

Just because something appears at the top of your search results doesn’t mean it’s the most accurate or unbiased source. Always look at who’s providing the information and whether they might have an agenda.

The Role of AI in Content Creation

AI can be a great tool in the right hands, in fact, here at Zappkit we use AI daily to streamline tasks, brainstorm, and draft content, but it’s crucial to understand the limitations of what it produces. AI tools are excellent at producing well-structured content quickly, but they don’t always prioritize factual accuracy, especially if they aren’t continuously updated or reviewed by a human editor.

For instance, many AI language models, like those from OpenAI, are trained on data that only goes up to the end of December 2023 (at the time this article was posted). They can generate believable statistics and facts, but without human oversight, these facts may be outdated or hallucinated entirely. If you encounter a high volume of AI-generated content, consider whether the creator is prioritizing quantity over quality—and whether the information is trustworthy.

Unfortunately, detecting AI generated content is getting increasingly more difficult. My first piece of advice would be to not rely solely on AI-detection software because it rarely works. However, a good rule of thumb is to look out for overly complicated or unusual sentence-structure, repeated phrases, or a lack of emotion. These are generally a good indicator that it wasn’t written or edited by a human.

Podcasts: The New Frontier of Information

Just as it’s easy to generate blog content, it’s also relatively cheap to start a podcast. With as little as $50, anyone can create a setup that looks and sounds professional, but that doesn’t guarantee the information being shared is credible. Before you accept what you hear on a podcast or in a TikTok as fact, take a moment to consider the host’s credentials, experience, and motivations.

Podcasts that use overly dramatic language or make unsubstantiated claims might be more interested in views than accuracy. Just as I questioned the validity of that plastic surgery website, it’s essential to question the credibility of podcast hosts and whether they are recognized experts in their field.

10 Questions to Help You Avoid Misinformation Online

To be a savvy online consumer, you need to be vigilant in weeding out the content offered to you. As you encounter new content, take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is the purpose of this information—to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something?
2. Who is the author, and what are their qualifications?
3. What is the reputation of the publication or website?
4. Is the source affiliated with any particular organization or group that might have a bias?
5. Does the content acknowledge counter arguments or alternative viewpoints?
6. Who is the intended audience for this content?
7. Do I have any preconceived notions that might affect how I interpret this information?
8. Am I looking for information that confirms my existing beliefs?
9. Am I open to changing my opinion based on new evidence?
10. What additional information would I need to make an informed decision?

This article barely scratches the surface of how to evaluate and fact-check content. I encourage you to continue honing your critical thinking skills and always dig deeper when consuming information online. Remember, becoming an independent and self-reliant thinker is a journey, and the more you practice, the sharper your judgment will become.

That being said…

At Zappkit, we understand the importance of trust and credibility in today’s information-rich world. Our hope is that this blog is just the beginning of a relationship built on those values; a relationship you can depend on as you navigate your wellness journey. Just as you approach the information you find online with a critical eye, we encourage you to approach your well-being with the same thoughtfulness. By integrating Zappkit into your routine, you’re taking a step towards greater self-reliance, supported by a partner committed to your informed and independent choices.