2. It says doctors and experts can't be trusted

It's smart to ask questions and stay curious. But if an article tells you that the entire medical community is lying, that's a red flag.

Most treatments have some risks, but those risks are weighed against much bigger benefits. Reliable health information is based on scientific evidence. It comes from trustworthy sources like licensed doctors, public health experts or respected research centers.

If something sounds too good to be true — or too scary to be real — check whether it's backed by science.

For example, some articles claim that vaccines don't work or aren't safe. The truth is that vaccines go through years of testing and monitoring. They've helped protect millions of people from serious illness.

If you see a post that stirs fear without solid evidence, it's worth checking a trusted medical source.