When you see something online that feels off, put on your detective hat and get to work.
- Did they actually answer the question? If you ask a question like, “Did you see Sarah trip in the hallway?” did they give you a straight answer like “Yes” or “No”? Or did they just talk in circles?
- Look for sneaky words. Sometimes people use fuzzy words or change the subject to avoid giving a straight answer. Keep an eye out for that!
- Consider their past. Has this person always said the same thing about this topic, or has their story changed? Why do you think it might be different now?
- Chat with your friends and family. Ask them if they heard the same rumor. What did they notice about how different people talked about it?
- Play reporter! Try asking your friends or family tough questions about a rumor and see if they use tricky language to avoid answering.