There are literally thousands of websites available for parents online to source parenting tips and advice. However, it is not always so easy to separate the facts from false information in a world that is constantly changing.
Fortunately, there are many measures parents can take to ensure that the content they are browsing through contains factual and trustworthy information.
1. Examine The End Designation of The Website Domain
When a website’s domain ends in “.org,” they are often non-profit organizations and thus have a particular social cause they are trying to promote. Government websites normally end in ‘’.gov’’, and educational institutions end in ‘’.edu’’.
Non-profit organizations or educational institutions generally offer reliable and trustworthy information. Parents can therefore be more assured of the quality of the information they find on these sites.
2. Is the Parenting Advice Presented in a Biased Manner?
Biased information can be defined as information that is disproportionately weighted in favor of or against a particular idea or concept. It is easy to fall for biased content, as it can try to persuade a reader instead of trying to provide information in a neutral manner.
When parents need advice, and they look at both sides of an argument or idea while it is being equally presented on a website, it becomes easier to make an informed decision-based fact and reason rather than on emotion.
3. Compare Content Sources with Other Reliable Sources
One way to fact-check your sources is to compare sources online. In this way, it becomes easier to identify information that is misleading. Parents can easily spread rumors or even bad parenting advice around. It is good for parents to base their opinions on information that has various sources to back it up.
4. Investigate the Source of The Information
Take a closer look at the organization or source of information. What contributions has the organization made to society? When an organization has a great reputation in the eyes of the public, the chances are good that the information on its website is more reliable. It is also useful to know how advanced and relevant the website is for its purpose.
5. Does The Website Have a Professional Appearance?
Credible websites are generally well designed and do not possess design schemes that make it hard to find information. Parents can feel more rest assured with websites that are professionally designed.
Parents should take care that they follow these guidelines when looking for parenting advice or information online.