Answer:
Steps to Take to Insulate Yourself from Misinformation
The most important step to take is to interrupt your own reflex of sharing posts that outrage you or resonate with your beliefs. Scammers capitalize on that instinct by tailoring their stories to fit the beliefs of their targets so they will slip under their defenses.
Never share a post on social media without fact checking
This is especially true if it comes from a source you trust. If you want to spread truth, you need to assume that other people aren't perfect and may make mistakes.
Look for the sources
Mainstream news is only as good as the sources they rely on. Anonymous sources, or stories coming from only a single source are more suspect than stories with multiple sources of confirmation. This doesn't mean that they are false; many important leaks and stories have come from single anonymous sources. But don't assume they are true, especially if they are sensational, until there is confirmation.
Consider the story's agenda
Stories are colored by the agendas of their writers.
News organizations typically operate for money, and part of their brand (and thus their profits) lies in their accuracy. However, many news groups tailor their content to particular segments of customers, and thus are more likely to cover stories with a particular perspective. This can skew their accuracy, turning it into affinity with the preconceptions of their target audience.
Political organizations exist to get their candidates elected and agenda passed, and thus any stories from a campaign or candidate are more suspect because they will always be intended to persuade. This does not make them automatically false, but watch for emotional appeals, arguments that disaster is just around the corner unless you act, or other measures designed to make you fearful or anxious.
Don't discount stories that play to emotions, but view them with caution
Injustices and corruption are things that make any ethical person upset or angry. A story that promotes emotion is not automatically false just because it provokes strong feelings.
Unfortunately, scammers and propagandists know the power of emotion and use that tool in their work. Therefore, fact check before you share.