Believe Nothing on the Web

John Bradley "JJ" Jackson

17 Oct 2025 • 1 min read

“Believe nothing on the web” may sound cynical, but it’s really a reminder to think critically before accepting anything you read online as fact. The internet is vast, unregulated, and filled with everything from brilliant insight to outright fabrication. Opinions are often presented as truth (news sites in particular), old data circulates as new, and some posts are intentionally misleading or even satire disguised as news.

To navigate this landscape, slow down and verify. Start by checking the source: is it credible, transparent, and accountable? Then read beyond the headline; attention-grabbing titles often distort the story. Look for authorship. Real experts stand behind their work. Confirm dates, since outdated information spreads easily. And when possible, cross-check claims with multiple reputable outlets or trusted fact-checking sites like Snopes or FactCheck.org.

Equally important, check your own biases. We tend to believe information that supports what we already think. A dose of self-awareness can prevent us from sharing falsehoods and fueling confusion.

In short, the web can be a powerful source of truth but only when we question it. A moment of skepticism before sharing or reacting keeps misinformation from multiplying and helps make the digital world just a bit more trustworthy.