When you’re scrolling, you don’t always have time for a deep dive, but you can filter your feed quickly in just four steps.
The SIFT Method was designed by digital experts to help you work out whether content could be misleading. SIFT stands for:
- Stop
- Investigate the source
- Find trusted coverage
- Trace back to the original source
Using these four steps helps you spot misinformation (accidental, misleading and incorrect content) and disinformation (deliberately misleading and incorrect content). This is particularly important in the run-up to the Senedd elections, when you’re likely to see more political information and opinions.
Stop
When you first see a post that makes you feel a strong emotion, like anger or surprise, stop. Don’t share it, don’t comment, and don’t like it yet. Ask yourself if you actually know the source is reliable. If you aren’t sure, don’t share it.
Investigate the source
You don’t need to do a full background check. Just click the profile. Is it a news outlet you’ve heard of? Is it a random account with very few followers, or created within the last month? If the ‘news’ is coming from a meme page, it’s worth looking into it.
Find varied coverage
If a claim only appears in one place, look for further evidence. Search for the headline on different news sites or a search engine. Seeing how different outlets report a story helps you to see the full picture and make your own informed choice.
Trace the original content
Photos and videos can be edited or cropped which may change the original context. A short clip of a politician can give the wrong impression – the full version may tell a different story. Always try to find the original full version before you believe the clip and share. This will help you see the complete story.
Make SIFT a habit
The best way to get good at the SIFT method is through habit stacking. This is a simple trick where you link a new, tiny habit onto something you already do every day.
Think of it like this: You already check your notifications or scroll on socials as soon as you wake up.
To ‘stack’ your habits, just add one quick step:
- When you see a news post on your feed…
- …immediately open a trusted news app or site to see if they are reporting the same thing.
By adding this quick check to your routine, you’re basically training your brain to spot misinformation and disinformation.
It helps you catch AI-generated content or clickbait before you share something that isn’t true.
More information
AI is now being used to create incredibly realistic content. From AI-written blogs that look like real journalism to voices that sound exactly like people you know, it’s harder than ever to trust your eyes (and ears!).
This blog is part of the Fact Check Your Feed campaign, designed to help you filter the noise ahead of the Senedd elections, not tell you how to think. Whether you’re watching a video, reading a post, or following a candidate, the final decision is always yours.
Get access to useful blogs, tips and interactive games to help you build the skills needed to identify and challenge the misinformation and disinformation you see online. Our goal is to ensure that you can make a choice that’s right for you at the polling station on May 7th.
Check out our social media channels to see our misinformation and disinformation campaign videos:
If you’ve seen something online that has upset you, or you just need to talk to someone, you can always reach out to the Meic helpline. They offer free, confidential support for children and young people under 25 in Wales. Get in touch by phone or WhatsApp message on 080880 23456 or chat to an advisor online at www.meic.cymru.
This campaign is part of the UK wide Informed Voices programme led by Parent Zone and commissioned by Ofcom to build young people’s media literacy and online resilience, in particular young voters. ProMo Cymru, who run TheSprout, are delivering this campaign in Wales.
