Abstract
The rise of information and communication technologies as a primary information source has transformed how people, regardless of their backgrounds, access information. Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of online content is crucial. However, studies highlight a significant gap in meeting these standards. Inadequate digital health literacy can profoundly impact individuals’ ability to health communication, therefore impacting their well-being, and quality of life. To address this challenge, various guidelines have been developed to help people discern between credible and misleading information online. Yet, these guidelines often lack theoretical foundations, validation across diverse populations, and consistent quality standards. Through a methodical content analysis of existing guidelines, we have identified and validated 9 key principles for evaluating the trustworthiness of websites namely, Authorship, Reliability, Ownership, Usefulness, Disclosure, Accessibility, Source, Design, and Confidentiality. These essential principles are shared with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including governments, media outlets, community partners, and policymakers to measure their viability and applicability. Based on the feedback received, we craft user-friendly guides and policy frameworks to combat online misinformation effectively. This collaborative endeavor aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions and cultivate a healthier online environment for everyone.
Presenters
Lubna DarazAssistant Professor, School of Library and Information Science, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Communications and Linguistic Studies
KEYWORDS
Internet, Misinformation, Quality, Assessment, Principles
