This video from Bill Nye showed up on my Facebook feed and I thought it was good to share here too. Using critical thinking skills to see red flags is vital to preventing the retention and spread of misinformation. Here are the red flags he mentions:
Advertising - Companies have a financial incentive to say what makes them money. Even if what they're saying is true, it's better to check the info yourself.
Hearsay - No direct source or proof for a claim, just something you've heard. If it can't be verified, it's hearsay.
Personal Benefit - Does the person spreading the information benefit from it being true? As with advertising, it's vital to look into the sources of their claims.
Contradiction - Does this information contradict facts you already know for sure? Pause and ask questions before accepting it as fact.
Reader Bias - Do you really want this information to be true? Does it conform to what you already think and believe? Watch out for information that seems to be catered to your belief system.