Advice on what you should think about when using digital technology and learning about new things online.
Contents
What is critical thinking?
The internet is full of helpful information and opportunities. However, there is a lot of incorrect or misleading information online. So, we need to think critically when exploring the internet and learning about new things.
Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyse information and form a judgement.
To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources.
Disinformation and misinformation
There are many ways people can spread false information online. The term fake news is used a lot. Misleading information reported as true could be used to damage the reputation of a person or organisation. Unfortunately it is often very believable and it is very easy to get caught out.
Disinformation
Fake or misleading stories created and shared deliberately.
Misinformation
This also means fake or misleading stories. In this case the stories may not have been deliberately created or shared with the intention to mislead.
Filter bubbles and echo chambers on social media
Social media is great for finding out breaking news or information. But, not all the information we see or hear is going to be true. It is important that we think before we share content we find on social media.
Filter bubble
This happens passively on social media. Your likes and interactions will effect the digital algorithm to only show things that supports the things you like and support.
Echo chamber
This happens by our own unconscious bias towards things we like or agree with. We end up only interacting with those of similar view points on social media because of this.
The problem is, that we lose impartiality and sometimes become exposed to quite polarised points of view without realising it. We could end up stuck in a bubble of misinformation and disinformation and not know it!
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Due to the rise in popularity of AI, we can now create images and videos that are completely fictional, but very realistic.
Pre-existing photos and videos can be manipulated, and false information can appear extremely believable or "Real".
This means we have to be even more aware of misinformation and disinformation, and use critical thinking when seeing and sharing things online.