The internet is a beautiful thing. Information has never been as readily accessible as it is today. People can receive news from around the world in the palms of their hands. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter allow news to be shared at unprecedented speeds.

Unfortunately, the same goes for misinformation. A story circulated on social media last week alleging that Northside-Jacksonville football coach Kendrick Pollock had gotten into a verbal altercation with a senior player on the team. The player was left behind at New Hanover, the site of the Monarchs’ away game.

The story was first reported on BustedNewspaper.com. Headlined “Jacksonville Northside Football Head Coach in hot water,” it spread like wildfire over social media. Parents and fans alike were outraged, expressing their disgust over the alleged story of the player being kept from returning to Jacksonville with the rest of the team.

The Jacksonville Daily News reported further on the matter. It was true that said player was left behind, but it ended up being nothing more than a mistake. Chris Miller reached out to Onslow County Schools officials for more information and comments.

This nearby happening is the perfect example of why readers need to approach news with a sense of curiosity. It’s easier than ever to start a website that appears to be a reputable source. Here are a few things to consider based on the BustedNewspaper.com story that was spread:

• Consider the source: If you’re not familiar with the source, take it with a grain of salt. In this circumstance, the story didn’t even have a writer’s name attached to it.
• Assess the writing style: This story was riddled with grammatical and stylistic errors. Swear words were present. Neither is common for a reputable source.
• Check the facts: The first sentence of the aforementioned story should have been a dead giveaway when it misidentified Monarch coach Kendrick Pollock as “Kenneth Pollock.”

The Washington Daily News strives to be a go-to source for news and stories from Beaufort County. Being misinformed is almost as dangerous as being well informed, so be wary of the links being shared on the internet.