Category - Internet
Topic - Website Validity
Issue - How to know if a website is legitimate and safe
Tiptoid -
I was surfing the web while researching for a History class project when I stumbled on a site I'd never been to before. It was very bright, flashy and animated, and the information stated that the Civil War in the U.S. last over 20 years and began in 1870! The website creator said that he was a Civil War expert, but as I read on, it became very clear to me that he was no expert. He didn't even know who fought in the war, because he said the East fought the West.
Misinformation is evil. It can narrow people's minds.
Bad information comes in all forms. For example, it is way too easy to stumble on sites that can be physically and emotionally dangerous, especially for us kids. More than a few young people have been negatively affected by the hidden dangers of bad websites.
So, how do you know if a website you are visiting is valid? Here are some ways to check.
1. Check the domain. If the site is supposed to be a site about education, does the domain address end in .edu?
2. Read the "About Us." Is there contact information, as well as a clear detailing of who is responsible for creating and updating the site?
3. Check the last update. If the site hasn't been updated recently, it isn't a site from where you want to get information. The date for the most recent update usually appears at the beginning or at the end of the site's home page.
4. Compare similar sites. Check other sites that are supposed to have the same kind of information as the site you are visiting.
5. Use common sense. If the site is supposed to contain education information, for example, but it talks about unrelated things, it makes sense that the site is not valid.
Taking my own advice, I continued my web search and eventually found a useful website for research on the Civil War. All facts related to ones I had already learned in class, and the links provided (which were cited) were also full of great information.
I use this website validity guideline every time I go online to search out new sites. I now feel confident that the information I read on sites that pass the validity checklist is accurate and safe. If you follow my advice, you will feel confident too. Now that's important!
Glossary -
valid - founded on truth or fact
cite - to quote as an example, authority, or proof
Find Out More - www.edina.k12.mn.us/edinahigh/departments/media/classprojects/sitevalidity.htm
This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.
Submitted by - Dennis Nolasco
Site Manager - Andrew An
May 2006