Debunking Conspiracy Theories

Gr 6–8—What once took hours of fact-checking, writing, editing, and publishing by a team of professional journalists can now be done online by anyone with an Internet connection. The popularity of online media outlets and the ease of sharing have made the spread of poor information a rampant problem that everyone has a responsibility to stop. The authors instruct readers on the characteristics of each topic, providing specific ways to recognize and avoid falling prey to false content. The nuances between disinformation, misinformation, and fake news are explained. The many types of bias and how they shape public opinion are explored often. The role of influencers, the use of bots, and the effects of algorithms on our search results are also given coverage. Becoming more critical consumers is imperative in today's world; this series competently fits that bill.