According to a 2023 Pew Research Center report, most Americans say technology companies should take steps to restrict false information online. Yet Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will no longer use third-party fact checkers.

Freedom of speech requires that we are informed. But to be accurately informed, we can’t rely on tech companies. We need to know how to screen out misinformation; that is, to become our own fact-checkers.

SIFT, a strategy developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield at the University of Washington, is a method used to help with the challenge of fact-checking. Whether you are seeing information on a Meta app, other social media platforms or in the news media, the SIFT method will help you decide – is it true? Here’s what SIFT stands for.

S for Stop: Before you read or share an article or video, stop and check your emotional response. Headlines are often written to get clicks by causing the reader to have a strong emotional response. Consider if what you are seeing aligns with what you already know about the topic and the source.

I for Investigate: Check out the writer/ creator and producer/publisher. Are they experts in this field? Do they have vested interests that could influence their reporting?

F for Find Better Coverage: Can you find other sources that report the same information? Can you find a more reliable source on the same topic?

T for Trace Back Claims: When an article references a quote from an expert or results from a research study, look into the original source of information whenever possible. Was a claim or quote taken out of context? Was it fairly represented?

You can learn more about SIFT at bit.ly/3Xae25H. If you have questions related to research and technology, the library can help. Sign up for a one-hour free appointment with a technology expert by contacting us at 845-439-5440 or livingstonmanorlibrary.org/techassistance.

Library hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: closed

March Programs - Meet at the library, 92 Main St., unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, Mar. 15: St. Patrick’s Day Kids’ Craft, 10 a.m.
Thursday, Mar. 20: Recycling 101, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 22: Preparing Your Garden, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Mar. 29: Woodcock Walk 6:45 p.m. Renaissance Park parking lot, Main St., Livingston Manor

To learn more, call the library at 845- 439-5440 or visit livingstonmanorlibrary.org.