"You can't trust the internet"

Nicolette Sheridan’s statement, “You can’t trust the internet,” challenges the assumption that digital information is universally reliable. In an era marked by unprecedented access to news, opinions, and data, her words serve as a cautionary reminder of the internet’s inherent vulnerabilities. The vastness and speed of online communication mean that information can circulate unfiltered, unchecked, and sometimes deliberately manipulated. Social platforms and websites present stories from a multitude of voices, but the ease with which falsehoods can be created and spread makes the task of discerning fact from fiction increasingly daunting.

People frequently rely on online sources for education, social connections, and even personal validation, often without considering the authenticity of the content being consumed. Sheridan’s perspective warns against such uncritical acceptance, urging individuals to question the origin and accuracy of what they encounter on the web. Deepfakes, misinformation campaigns, and algorithmically-boosted sensationalism can distort perceptions and even influence major societal events. The allure of viral content sometimes takes precedence over factual reporting, amplifying rumors or half-truths to the detriment of informed discourse.

Moreover, commercial interests further muddy the waters, as advertisers and content creators tailor messages to maximize clicks, views, or sales rather than to inform truthfully. Search engines and feeds present content based on user behaviors, potentially reinforcing preexisting biases rather than challenging them with objective facts. These realities demand thoughtful and skeptical engagement with online information. Sheridan’s words advocate for an approach rooted in digital literacy, cross-referencing multiple reputable sources, evaluating the credibility of authors, and being mindful of one’s own tendencies toward confirmation bias.

Ultimately, her warning acknowledges both the internet’s revolutionary potential and its risks. To benefit from its resources without falling victim to deception, users must foster a vigilant, critical mindset, consistently questioning and verifying the content they encounter.