Stop Doomscrolling! Decode the Truth Online with Lateral Reading

Drowning in information overload? Feeling unsure about what you're reading online? You need lateral reading! Forget deep dives into a single website; lateral reading is about branching out. Instead of intensely scrutinizing one source, you quickly *leave* it.

Think of it like this: you find a claim on a website. Before accepting it as fact, open a few new tabs. Search for the website's reputation, the author's credentials, and other sources discussing the same claim. Are there reputable news outlets reporting the same thing? Do fact-checking websites address the claim?

Lateral reading helps you quickly assess the credibility of information by verifying it across multiple, independent sources. It’s your secret weapon against misinformation, biased content, and outright lies. So, next time you’re online, don’t just read *down* – read *across*!