How can I tell if a story online is true?

The internet is full of dramatic claims - miracle cures, shocking news, "doctors hate this". Some is honest, some is mistaken, and some is designed to sell you something or scam you. A single post is never proof, and the more dramatic and urgent a claim, the more it is worth checking before you believe it or forward it.

Signs to slow down

It is built to be shared. "Share before it's taken down" and "they don't want you to know this" are pressure, not evidence.
Lots of shares or likes. Popularity is not proof - false, dramatic stories often spread the fastest.
It came from a friend. A friend forwarding something does not make it true; they may not have checked either.
It is about your health, money, or safety. These are exactly the claims that deserve a real source.

How to check

Look for the same story on a reputable news site or an official source. If only one dramatic post carries it, be sceptical.
For health or money claims, check with a professional - a doctor, a pharmacist, your bank - before acting or sharing.
Search the exact claim; fact-checkers have often already looked at the popular ones.

If you only do one thing

Before you share something surprising, check it against a second, trusted source. If you cannot confirm it, do not pass it on.