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In an age where digital information spreads at unprecedented speeds, a new initiative aims to help older adults navigate the complex landscape of online misinformation. The Poynter Institute’s MediaWise for Seniors program has launched a free one-hour course designed specifically for people over 50 who consume news online.
The course, “How to Spot Misinformation Online,” teaches practical skills for distinguishing between factual and false information on the internet. Through focused examinations of misinformation in politics, health, travel, and climate topics, participants learn essential verification techniques and strategies for identifying credible sources.
Several prominent journalists lend their expertise to the program as MediaWise Ambassadors. Christiane Amanpour, Joan Lunden, Lester Holt, Hari Sreenivasan, and Dave Jorgenson make appearances throughout the course, sharing professional insights on navigating information across platforms like Google and Facebook.
“We will not be telling you how to feel about topics or issues,” the program emphasizes in its description. “Instead, we will teach you how to identify misleading, false or dangerous information on the internet.” This approach underscores the course’s commitment to maintaining political neutrality while empowering users with fact-checking tools.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, as studies show older adults are particularly vulnerable to online misinformation. Research from various organizations, including the National Council on Aging, has found that adults over 65 are more likely to share false news stories on social media platforms compared to younger users.
MediaWise for Seniors is part of the broader MediaWise initiative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital media literacy project established by The Poynter Institute in 2018. The program has already reached significant audiences, with MediaWise content viewed 44 million times by more than 9 million people since its launch.
The Poynter Institute, a globally respected journalism education organization, expanded MediaWise to specifically target the senior population in 2020. This segment of the program operates through two primary funding channels: support from AARP to provide resources to their membership and funding from Facebook for virtual training and social media awareness campaigns.
While Facebook (now Meta) provided financial backing to make this course free to participants – normally valued at $50 – the Poynter Institute maintains complete editorial independence. “To preserve our reputation for teaching excellence, developed over more than four decades, we retain independence and control over our teaching whether it is funded by tuition or a donor,” the organization states in its ethics policy.
The self-directed course requires no special technical skills and is accessible to anyone interested in strengthening their ability to evaluate online information. It offers practical guidance on using free fact-checking tools that are readily available to all internet users.
Digital literacy experts have long advocated for targeted education programs that address the specific needs of different demographic groups. The MediaWise for Seniors initiative represents a focused effort to bridge potential generational gaps in information verification skills at a time when misinformation campaigns increasingly target older Americans.
The original MediaWise program was created with support from Google.org as part of the Google News Initiative, demonstrating the technology industry’s growing recognition of its role in combating digital misinformation.
As social media platforms continue to evolve and misinformation tactics become more sophisticated, educational resources like this free course offer a critical defense mechanism for vulnerable populations navigating an increasingly complex information environment.
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18 Comments
As someone with a keen interest in mining, metals, and energy news, I’m glad to see this course covering misinformation in those areas. Fact-checking is essential, especially when it comes to technical topics that can be easily misrepresented online.
The emphasis on not telling people how to feel, but rather how to identify misleading information, is a wise approach. This allows participants to think critically and draw their own conclusions.
As someone who follows mining and energy news closely, I’m glad to see this initiative addressing misinformation in those areas. Fact-checking is crucial, especially when it comes to technical topics that can be easily misrepresented.
The involvement of respected journalists like Hari Sreenivasan and Dave Jorgenson lends credibility to the program. Their insights will be invaluable in teaching participants how to identify credible sources.
Misinformation can spread like wildfire online, so I’m glad to see this proactive effort to arm people with the skills to identify credible sources and spot misleading claims. Equipping seniors with these tools is an important step.
The program’s emphasis on not telling people how to feel, but rather how to identify misinformation, is a wise approach. This allows participants to think critically and draw their own conclusions.
As someone with a keen interest in mining and energy news, I appreciate that this course covers a range of topics, including climate-related misinformation. Fact-checking is crucial in these technical fields.
The involvement of journalists like Christiane Amanpour and Lester Holt lends credibility to the program. Their real-world experience will be invaluable in preparing seniors to navigate digital information.
This free course from the Poynter Institute sounds like a valuable resource for older adults who are navigating the complex world of online information. The focus on practical skills and verification techniques is exactly what’s needed to combat misinformation.
I’m particularly interested in the sections covering misinformation related to politics, health, and climate topics. These are areas where false claims can have significant real-world impacts.
Combating online misinformation is crucial, especially for older adults who may struggle to discern fact from fiction. This free course from the Poynter Institute sounds like a valuable resource to help seniors navigate the digital landscape with more confidence.
It’s great to see prominent journalists lending their expertise to this initiative. Their insights will be invaluable in teaching essential verification techniques.
Combating online misinformation is a critical issue, and I’m impressed by this free course from the Poynter Institute that’s specifically tailored for older adults. Equipping seniors with the skills to navigate digital information is a much-needed step.
The involvement of prominent journalists as MediaWise Ambassadors lends credibility to the program. Their real-world insights will be invaluable in preparing participants to identify credible sources and spot false claims.
Kudos to the Poynter Institute for launching this initiative to help seniors spot misinformation online. With the rapid spread of digital information, equipping older adults with these skills is crucial. I’m curious to see how the course is received and if it can be expanded to other demographics.
The involvement of respected journalists as MediaWise Ambassadors is a smart move. Their expertise and credibility will be invaluable in teaching participants how to distinguish fact from fiction.
Identifying and combating online misinformation is a complex challenge, but this free course from the Poynter Institute seems like a practical and much-needed solution. I’m curious to learn more about the specific verification techniques they’ll be teaching.
The program’s focus on equipping older adults with these skills is particularly important, as this demographic may be more vulnerable to the spread of false information online.