Pardon my PSA; I am feeling very frustrated!
I keep seeing screenshots of outrageous statements floating around… the kind that instantly spike your blood pressure and make you want to hit “share” without thinking.
But here’s the thing: a lot of those screenshots never actually happened. They’re manufactured to make us angry, scared, or validated in our worst assumptions… and they spread because they feel true in the moment.
So just a small reminder (for all of us, myself included): Before we share something online, especially if it hits us right in the emotions, check for a source.
Look for an actual link, an archive, or reputable reporting. If it’s just a screenshot with no way to verify it, chances are it’s designed to manipulate us.
Misinformation thrives on outrage. Slowing down for 30 seconds to confirm something is real is one of the easiest ways we can protect ourselves, our communities, and the conversations we care about.
We’re all doing our best out here.
Let’s help each other keep the signal strong and the noise low.
— Allaina Humphreys, Bolingbrook IL
Graphic courtesy Allaina Humphreys, Free Wheelin’ Design
