Digital Criticality
Navigating the Seas of Information

The media we consume floods us with data, opinions, fact, and fiction. It’s becoming increasingly important to read and think critically. Here’s what you need to do before hitting that share button, and why.

By Rebecca Johns

In today's digital age, we are faced with information overload. An endless stream of ideas lies in the palm of our hand. It is crucial to develop critical thinking skills to navigate the media that we are exposed to.

Critical thinking is more than an academic phrase. It is a valuable tool that empowers us to separate fact from fiction, create informed opinions, and engage with information in thoughtful and meaningful ways.

What is Criticality in Media Reading?

Critical thinking involves the ability to digest information, question assumptions, and draw well-reasoned conclusions. When it comes to reading media, critical thinking helps us become discerning. It's the difference between blindly accepting everything we read, and actively engaging with content to determine its credibility, bias, and relevance.

Why Should We Read Critically?

Here are some key reasons why critical thinking is important.

Acknowledging Misinformation

False news can influence political, economic, and social well-being, a cause for worldwide concern. People are more likely to share novel information, and false news tends to appear more novel than true news. In this way, misinformation often spreads more than the truth because humans. not robots, are more likely to spread it. Misinformation can spread like wildfire online.

Critical thinking encourages us to fact-check and verify before accepting ideas. This helps prevent the spread of false information and ensures that we base our beliefs on reliable sources.

Identifying Bias

Cultural texts are saturated with social meanings. Contemporary criticism has forced us to see that all artefacts of established culture and society are laden with meaning, values, biases, and messages that advance relations of power and subordination. Thus there are no innocent texts - no pure entertainment that does not contain representations of class, gender, race, sexuality, and myriad social categories and groupings.

Every piece of media carries some degree of bias, whether intentional or not. Most content also carries its own prejudice. Critical thinking allows us to recognize biases and consider how they might influence the information presented. By understanding the potential slant of a source, we are able to approach content with a more open mind.

Recognizing Clickbait

Digital nudging is a subtle form that uses design, information and interaction elements to guide user behaviour in digital environments. Designers use these principles to create habits and change behaviour. Ethically speaking, it should not restrict the individual’s freedom of choice.

While this can help improve the user experience of websites, it can also be used as a manipulation tool. For example, through clickbait headlines. Many are designed to grab attention but often lack substance. Critical thinkers look beyond catchy headlines and examine the body of content before forming opinions. This guards against falling into the trap of sensationalism.

Engaging with Diverse Perspectives

Criticism is always generated from a point of view. While most critics believe that their own perspectives are the ones that are best suited for the texts they deal with, it is impossible for them to be truly objective.

It is important to consider multiple viewpoints before forming your opinions. Engaging with a variety of sources, even those that challenge our existing beliefs, can lead you to a deeper understanding of complex issues.

How Do We Begin Critical Thinking?

Question Everything

Don't take information at face value. Ask yourself: Who wrote this? What is their expertise? Is there evidence to support the claims being made? By posing these questions, you're more likely to uncover the credibility of the source.

Evaluate Your Source

Reputable news outlets and well-established organisations are more likely to provide accurate information than obscure or biassed websites. Cross-reference information across multiple sources. Consistency may increase the chances that the information is accurate.

Don’t Fall for Emotional Manipulation

Be wary of content that relies heavily on emotion to sway your opinion. Emotional language can obscure facts and prevent critical analysis.

Think Before You Share

Before sharing an article or post, take a moment to reflect on its reliability and potential impact. That way, you avoid contributing to the spread of misinformation.

In an era where information is abundant but accuracy isn't guaranteed, critical thinking is essential. By honing this skill, you can navigate the complex landscape of media, make well-informed decisions, and contribute to a more informed society. So, the next time you encounter a captivating headline, remember to put on your critical thinking hat before diving in.