Fact-checking resources

With all the half-truths, false claims and downright lies that circulate the internet daily, arm your students with the ability to pause, stop and check for accuracy. Fact-checking programming in our libraries is more important than ever, and these sites can help.

• FactCheck.org: Great for high school students who are fact-checking politics.
  
• Snopes: Probably the most well-known of fact-checking websites. Use some caution as headlines can sometimes have mature themes.
  
• Hoax Slayer: This site operates very similarly to Snopes. Like Snopes, use caution with younger students, as there can be mature headlines. Hoax Slayer focuses on email hoaxes and social media hoaxes.
  
• OpenSecrets.org: Focus is on political spending. There are unmoderated comments on the site, so use caution with younger students.
  
• Politifact: A nonpartisan fact-checking website that evaluates the accuracy of political statements.
  
• Poynter: A news site focused on analyzing coverage from various sources. It was not specifically created for kids/teens, but the content contains great newsworthy analysis.

Trustworthy news and information sources

In addition to refuting fake news, it's important to offer student-friendly sites to help young people find accurate news to begin with. Here are a few we like.

• The Learning Network: New York Times blog (free)
  
• Newsela: Multiple reading levels; content focuses on science, social studies and current events (free and paid versions)
  
• Scholastic News: Kid-friendly news site (available by subscription)
  
• Tween Tribune: Despite the "tween" in the title, this site has news for kids, tweens and teens and is curated by the Smithsonian (free)

https://www.programminglibrarian.org/blog/truth-out-there-fact-checking-resources-students