Critical Thinking About Digital Media

Once on the fringe, fake news has become mainstream. From bogus social media accounts to Russian troll factories, phony news muddies the social and political discourse, and is a threat to our democracy. This high-interest book defines fake news and reveals the people behind the spread of disinformation. This text directly correlates with state journalism standards about developing media literacy. Readers will also glimpse the future of fake news and the alarming technologies used to make it, such as face-morphing technology. This book will help readers navigate the messy world of fake news.

Originally conceived as a way for people to stay connected, share photographs and post information, social media has evolved. Today, it is much more than a fun communication tool, it can become a destructive weapon when exploited by the wrong people. Readers will discover how social media is used as a weapon and what they can do to protect themselves. From Russian bots and fake news to cyberbullying and online shaming, readers will discover who is weaponizing social media and why. They also will uncover useful information about the benefits of social media and how they can use it in beneficial ways. This book also includes a glossary of useful terms and a list of helpful references for further exploration.

"Going viral." It's a phrase that you hear thrown around whenever something is blowing up on the Internet, but what does it really mean? How does something or someone go from a random post on social media to a household name? What does it mean for the person who posted it? There's the dark side, too: hoaxes, illegal content, and Russian trolls. Readers take a deep dive into the world where fame isn't measured in minutes, but in clicks. This book gives readers the tools to sort the real from the fake, as well as resources to explore.

Memes and Internet satire are everywhere online. They come and go so quickly, it's hard to understand what they even mean. Readers take a closer look at this modern phenomenon in a thoughtful and accessible way. They will explore the early days of memes including where the name comes from and how they spread throughout the web. This book investigates the world of Internet satire including the rise of fake news and the trouble humor can cause when they go too far. A helpful glossary and resources to further readers' learning are provided inside.

Confirmation bias is the tendency of people to interpret, remember, and specifically seek out information that confirms beliefs they already have. It's part of how the human brain works. Being aware of its existence and how it can creep into your life is the best defense. A growing feeder of confirmation bias in the modern world is the internet, particularly social media, where it's easy to surround yourself with a "bubble" of like-minded people. In this text we will explore the ways that the social media bubble encourages confirmation bias, and how to combat it.