Adults 50+ plus now have access to an online resource for spotting misinformation, hoaxes and scams. In 2020, The Poynter Institute launched MediaWise for Seniors, a self-directed course which helps older adults sort fact from fiction. MediaWise is a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital media literacy initiative. Participants can start and stop the 6 to 8-hour course, setting their own pace and revisiting materials as needed. The online curriculum includes videos, readings, activities and quizzes.
Stated course objectives include helping seniors:
- Spot the seven types of misinformation and explain why someone shared them
- Verify the images and videos you encounter on the internet
- Identify and consume online news responsibly
- Fact-check social media posts using the tools and techniques professional fact-checkers use
- Report false information on each social media platform
- Operate as a good digital citizen and explain to others the pitfalls of sharing misinformation
- Teach loved ones how to fact-check on their own
