Validation feels good. However, when we surround ourselves with voices, news sources, and information that simply reinforce what we already believe, not only are we lacking a heathy amount of challenge to our thinking and environment, but it can distort our ability to accurately interpret and accept legitimate facts. Scroll to learn more about what #confirmationbias is, how it impacts you, and how to avoid it.

Government-controlled media should raise more than a few questions. But is that what PBS is? What about NPR? Are these news outlets controlled by the government? Swipe to learn the differences between state media and public broadcasting.

Ever shared an article, and you can immediately tell who in the comments only read the headline? It's easy to see a headline, post, or couple of slides on social media and think you know the whole story, but understanding the purpose of headlines is a good reminder of why it is important to read the full article before you comment or share.

You love your community. You love your local schools, restaurants, and small businesses. And you love keeping your eye on local politics to ensure that the things you love are funded, improved, and prioritized. That's why we want to send some serious love to local news outlets. Check out the slides to see how local news organizations support the many things you ❤ about where you live. 

It might seem innocent enough, but words like "always," "every,""never," etc. create distorted views of reality. Explaining viewpoints without leaving room for the many exceptions that often exist can lead polarization. Scroll to learn more about what black and white thinking is and how to avoid it.

Unpacking complex stories, especially ones layered with history, culture, and conflict, requires looking with a critical eye. Use these 5 tools to increase your understanding and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Feel like the news is almost always a downer? Scroll to learn more about why negativity seems to dominate the headlines.

Speak like a journalist! Do you know what a nameplate is? What about the deck? Scroll to understand the language and layout of a news story to navigate like a pro!

Ever wonder why one story gets coverage over another? We’ve got the scoop! Scroll to see what factors go into selecting news articles.

Stop misinformation from your search engine! Swipe through to find out more about how you can use Google's "About this Result" feature to find reliable information on the web.

Learn about how to reverse search your images to gain context about memes, fake profiles, and more!

Be a conscious consumer. Diversify your media diet. Click through the slides to discover how to make your newsfeed a resource for the perspectives you might be missing!

Misinformation thrives where the consensus of experts is ignored, misinterpreted, or replaced with the opinions of a few outliers. The past few years have really emphasized the importance of knowing where and who your information comes from. Read the slides to understand more about what you can do to be an informed consumer.

All individuals have a duty to educate themselves about the actions of government officials and current events in the world.