Trusting the Internet: New Approaches to Credibility Tools

Part of the Volume on Digital Media, Youth, and CredibilityThis chapter argues that digital media create a paradox whereby information consumers are simultaneously expected to be more independent in their information use and evaluation but also increasingly dependent on digital information and tools. It also discusses how digital media separate credibility from authority and argues that this necessitates a different approach to credibility assessment. The author then explores opportunities to leverage the special characteristics of digital media to create new methods and tools for credibility assessment.