Critical thinking was on the agenda at Cooktown Library last week as community members of all ages came together for the Truth Be Told misinformation and disinformation session.
With 20 attendees at the free session, including members of the 60s and Better Group alongside local high school students, creating a great opportunity for different generations to learn, share ideas and discuss the challenges of navigating today’s digital world.
The morning began with a relaxed morning tea before Cooktown Library staff member Lachie delivered an informative and engaging presentation exploring how misinformation spreads, why it can be so convincing and the simple steps everyone can take to identify reliable information online.
From recognising clickbait headlines and manipulated images to checking trusted sources before sharing content, attendees left with practical skills they can use every day when reading news, and a healthy dose of scepticism to take back into their daily scrolling.
The session also sparked plenty of discussion, with participants sharing their own experiences and asking thoughtful questions about how to confidently spot misleading information in an increasingly complex online world.
By bringing together different generations to learn from one another, Truth Be Told highlighted the important role libraries play in supporting lifelong learning and helping communities build the knowledge and confidence to stay informed in the digital age.
