Preparing College Students for a Digital Age: A Survey of Instructional Approaches to Spotting Misinformation

Abstract

Misinformation has become a regular feature of the Internet. Research suggests that everyone, including young people who have grown up with digital devices, struggles to differentiate fact from fiction online because they read closely rather than turning to external sources. We analyzed the resources students find when they seek advice offered by college or university websites on evaluating the credibility of online information. A random sample of 50 universities indicated that, for nearly all institutions, students are advised to engage in close reading to determine credibility. We conclude by recommending that institutions overhaul how they teach students to evaluate online sources.