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The Effects of a Scenario-based Fact-checking Course on eHealth Literacy and Fact-checking Skills Among Older Adults.
Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Summary
As more older adults use the internet to seek health information, it may be difficult to determine whether online information is trustworthy. Social media posts, advertisements, messages, and product promotions may contain misleading information or scams. This study will examine whether a practical fact-checking course can help older adults make more accurate judgments about online health information. Approximately 100 older adults from senior learning centers in northern Taiwan will participate in this study. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive a four-week health information fact-checking course, and the control group will receive a four-week nutrition education course. Both groups will participate in learning activities; however, only the fact-checking course will involve digital tools and examples of online health information. Participants in the fact-checking course will practice evaluating health information through common real-life situations, including health-related social media posts, online product advertisements, free-gift promotions, and suspicious text messages. The course will teach a fact-checking method called SIFT: Stop: Pause before believing or sharing information. Investigate the source: Check who created or posted the information. Find better coverage: Look for other reliable sources that discuss the same claim. Trace claims to the original context: Locate the original source and determine whether the claim has been presented accurately. Before and after the four-week intervention, participants will complete questionnaires and short activities concerning the use of online health information and the evaluation of health-related messages. The investigators will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine whether the fact-checking course improves confidence and accuracy in judging online health information. This study may inform the development of digital health learning programs for older adults.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - 100 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2026-09
Completion Date
2027-06
Last Updated
2026-10-21
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Scenario-Based Fact-Checking Course
This four-week behavioral education intervention is a scenario-based fact-checking course designed to improve older adults' ability to evaluate online health information. The course teaches the SIFT strategy: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims to the original context. Participants will use digital devices and structured worksheets to practice checking the credibility and accuracy of health-related information. Learning activities are based on four common online scenarios: health-related social media posts claiming endorsement by authorities, influencer-promoted health product advertisements, suspicious free-gift promotions, and potentially fraudulent subsidy text messages. The course emphasizes lateral reading, source evaluation, and verification of health claims through hands-on practice.
Nutrition Education
This four-week behavioral nutrition education program is designed as an active comparison intervention. Participants will receive general education on healthy eating and nutrition for older adults, including balanced food choices, dietary habits, and basic nutrition principles. The program will be delivered without digital devices, online health information evaluation, or fact-checking instruction. Its duration and session schedule will be comparable to those of the experimental group.