Lateral Searching:

an information verification strategy that helps us discern whether or not the information we consume online is credible.

*also known as lateral reading

Lateral searching simply means looking at sources of information side by side or, rather, tab by tab. Instead of going deep down the rabbit hole that algorithms so easily lead us, we can do a broad search on the topic.

Step 1:

Open 3 Browser Tabs using your search engine of choice.

Step 2:

Search your topic in each tab using the following search terms.

Tab 1

[Type your topic] True

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Tab 2

[Type your topic] False

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Tab 3

[Type your topic] Debunked

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Bonus Tab

[Type your topic] Conspiracy Theory

Step 3:

Compare the search results in each tab and discern which results feel most credible.

The most important question you can ask is, “Who is behind this information?” then search the person or group on Wikipedia. A website may have an “About Us” section that tells you more about the work and contributors.

Another useful site is Media Bias/Fact Check. They rate bias and factual or not so factual reporting. Also, if a group or person is notorious for false and misleading claims, a simple google search will pull up all sorts of articles with examples that can give you more than enough information to know they can’t be trusted.

“Lateral reading helps you determine an author’s credibility, intent and biases by searching for articles on the same topic by other writers (to see how they are covering it) and for other articles by the author you’re checking on.

That’s what professional fact-checkers do.”
-News Literacy Project

With the proper skills, we do not have to be made victim to media bias and conspiracy theories. We can use these media literacy skills to empower one another with verified information to organize towards the issues that matter most.