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💬 Social Media & Staying Connected Guide

Before You Share — Checking if a Story Is True

Published August 2026 · Last verified August 2026

The Two-Minute CheckBefore you hit Share, pause here.1Notice a strong feeling - that's your cue to slow down2Ask who is telling it and check the source3Search the same claim on other sites4Check a fact-checker, then decideTwo minutes of checking stops most false stories before they spread.Illustration - a simplified overview; details vary by device and situation.
Two minutes of checking stops most false stories before they spread.
Red Flags That Mean StopSigns a story may be false.1Strong emotionOutrage or feardesigned to makeyou share fast.2No date, old storyAn old event dressedup as new, or nodate at all.3No named source'Theysay' with noreal person oroutlet named.4'Send toeveryone'Chain messages thatbeg to be copiedand passed along.Four warning signs that a story deserves a closer look before sharing.Illustration - examples of common warning signs, not a full list.
Four warning signs that a story deserves a closer look before sharing.

The internet is full of stories that stir you up - a shocking piece of news, a miracle cure, a warning to pass to everyone you know. Some are true. A great many are not, and they are built precisely to make you share them before you think. There is no shame in being fooled; these things are designed by clever people to fool careful folks. This book gives you a simple, two-minute habit to check a story before you pass it on - so you stay the trustworthy one in your family. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.

Bill Davis
Bill's Home Tech · Atwater, Ohio
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The Before You Share: Checking If a Story Is True Guide
PDF · plain English · no ads · made by Bill
Cost
Free — no purchase needed
Time
About 20–30 minutes
Difficulty
Beginner-friendly · one step at a time
Bill's hotline
(330) 200-8042

The internet is full of stories that stir you up - a shocking piece of news, a miracle cure, a warning to pass to everyone you know. Some are true. A great many are not, and they are built precisely to make you share them before you think. There is no shame in being fooled; these things are designed by clever people to fool careful folks. This book gives you a simple, two-minute habit to check a story before you pass it on - so you stay the trustworthy one in your family. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.

What's inside this guide

The printable PDF walks through 18 short chapters, in plain language. It also includes an everyday cheat sheet and at-a-glance pictures.

  1. Why False Stories Spread So Fast
  2. The Feelings That Mean Slow Down
  3. The Simple Two-Minute Check
  4. Looking At Who Is Telling The Story
  5. Spotting Fake And Misleading Photos
  6. Fake Quotes And Made-Up Statements
  7. Health Claims And Miracle Cures
  8. Old Stories Dressed Up As New
  9. Chain Messages And Copy-Paste Warnings
  10. Using Fact-Checkers To Settle It
  11. When A Story Fits What You Already Believe
  12. The New Wave: Computer-Made Fakes
  13. A Word On Political And Divisive Stories
  14. If You Already Shared Something False
  15. Gently Helping Family Who Share Fakes
  16. Making The Check A Habit
  17. Why This Matters For You
  18. Slow Down, And Stay Trusted

Get the printable guide

Everything above is a quick summary. The full, printable guide — the same words, laid out to read and keep by the computer — is a free PDF.

Download the printable PDF →

Last verified August 2026. Information accurate as of October 18, 2026.

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Any prices or outside products mentioned in this guide can change over time — the details here were last checked August 2026 and this page is accurate as of October 18, 2026; please confirm current pricing before you buy. See how often we review our guides →