How To Navigate Discussions About Current Events

Discussing current events with others can help you learn more about the world and gain insights into new ideas and perspectives. Considering beliefs other than your own can help you build empathy and approach ideas from multiple angles. 

However, talking about current events isn’t always easy. There are multiple best practices to follow to enjoy productive conversations that make you more informed. Follow these steps to discuss current events maturely by tapping into your strong communication and research skills.

When discussing current events, the first step is to ensure your information is accurate and thorough. You should only get information from credible news outlets and follow basic principles of news literacy to effectively engage with all the ideas you encounter.  

One best practice is to gather information from multiple types of sources. Read top stories from trusted publications, professional journals, and official reports. Doing so can give you a better understanding of certain subjects beyond the headline news.  

Reputable News Sources

Your challenge, as a responsible media consumer, is to gather information from reputable news sources. Tools like lateral reading can help you question the authority and trustworthiness of certain pieces so you can feel confident that the stories are accurate and thorough. You can also explore topics across the political spectrum to see the same topic from different perspectives, which will give you a well-rounded view and help you better identify bias.

You can also develop fact-checking habits where you question information and consider whether there is bias in the content.  You should also identify sensationalist headlines and try to parse the truth from the overdramatized reporting. 

Always pause before reading an article to confirm the source and author are reputable. You should also do a tone check to identify any sensationalist writing. These small steps can help you identify red flags in the content so you don’t read further. 

Social Media and Online Forums

Social media can be a valuable source of breaking news, but it can also be misleading. Fake news often spreads quickly across social platforms, confusing readers about what’s true and false.  

As a best practice, follow journalists and experts you can trust online. Look for verified accounts and block any fake, sensationalized, or misleading profiles.

A big part of media literacy is assessing the credibility of information before consuming it. This way, you don’t fall for inaccurate or biased stories meant to manipulate your viewpoint.    

Mike Caulfield, a research scientist at the University of Washington, developed the SIFT method for spotting misleading or incorrect information. Here’s how to use it:

• Stop: Before you engage with media content, pause to evaluate its credibility. 
• Investigate the source: Confirm that the author is qualified to speak on the subject and is likely to provide accurate and unbiased information. 
• Find better coverage: If you’re suspicious about the source or media outlet, look for the same story on a more trusted webpage. 
• Trace claims: Look for the original source for an image, quote, or statistics to confirm the information wasn’t taken out of context. 

Another good rule of thumb is to be an internet skeptic, which means you actively question the information you receive. This is different from being a cynic. You can still have a positive attitude when surfing the web, even if you question the sources you encounter. 

Author Credentials

One of the best ways to evaluate information is to check the credentials of the author who published the content. There are three things to look for to make sure an author is trustworthy:

• Educational background: Consider if an author’s education is relevant to the content at hand. 
• Experience: Evaluate an author’s background on the subject to determine if they are qualified to talk about it. 
• Other writings: Search for similar writings about the topic the author has published. 

Along with looking for green flags like experience and other published pieces, search for red flags like a history of spreading false information or exaggerating claims. These problems could highlight other issues with the author’s content. 

Publication Date and Relevance

After you research the author, look into the publication date. Outdated information can be incorrect and not present the most updated overview of a situation. When possible, try to find more recent sources. You can also use tools like Google Alerts to receive notifications about breaking news topics daily, weekly, or as they happen.

It’s important to rely on reputable sources when discussing current events, but you also want to have healthy, safe, and mature conversations. While there are plenty of opportunities to discuss events online, the tone can often be misinterpreted. Someone might seem more aggressive or sarcastic than they mean, making a conversation more combative. Your goal is to learn, not fight, and it may be better to have conversations with people you know in person.

You should approach these discussions with an open mind. Consider where the other person is coming from and why they might reach certain conclusions. You can build empathy by finding common ground and asking questions to learn more about the perspective of the other person.  

Another tip is to spot and avoid logical fallacies. For example, a straw man argument occurs when someone distorts your point and argues against the distortion instead. An ad hominem attack occurs when you attack the person rather than the argument itself. Neither of these fallacies actually addresses the issue.

Productive conversations require maturity and you should take a step back if discussions get heated. This social awareness can help you better approach sensitive topics another time.

Active Listening Techniques

One tool you can bring to any discussion is active listening. This is the process of seeking to understand the other person, rather than simply trying to make yourself heard. There are a few steps you can follow to practice active listening:

• Pick up on nonverbal cues: Focus on the tone, body language, and word choice.
• Put yourself in their shoes: Be curious about the points of view of others. 
• Ask open-ended questions: Let them discuss their points further and have space to speak. 
• Paraphrase their messaging: Confirm you are hearing them correctly. Ask for clarification if you need it. 

Active listening will help you gain fresh perspectives while showing respect to anyone you talk to. Ideally, your debate partner will show you the same respect when it is your turn.

Respecting Diverse Opinions

Diverse opinions are a good thing. Debates, when handled maturely and peacefully, can help you explore new ideas and gain information. Without differing opinions, you risk living in an echo chamber where you only interact with people who agree with you. 

There are a few ways to respectfully disagree when talking to others. First, let them finish their thoughts. They want to talk as much as you do. Next, discover where your views align. Your ideas might not be as different as you think. Finally, focus on the facts and avoid personal attacks.

Instead of approaching discussions about current events with the goal of winning arguments, try to have open conversations with empathy. Both parties win when they walk away with a better understanding of others.  

Steering Clear of Heated Arguments

Finally, walk away from arguments that are unproductive and heated. Some warning signs that it is time to step back include raised voices, personal attacks, and people talking over each other. 

The University of Wisconsin Madison provides three steps for de-escalation: 

• Be in control of yourself: Avoid becoming angry or defensive during a debate. 
• Control your physical stance: Consider your body language and whether it comes off as aggressive, dismissive, or judgmental. 
• Practice de-escalation discussion: This includes changing the subject, suggesting alternative activities, and admitting that neither side will concede. 

It’s better to redirect a conversation early on and change the subject before the debate gets too heated. This way, you can maintain a positive professional or personal relationship. 

Discussion about current events can be healthy and fun. Make sure you do your research and present your ideas calmly to increase your chances of effectively sharing your ideas with others.