Don’t Be Misled by Online Articles
These tips for seniors explain how to verify the credibility of “news” on the internet.
By Anne Marshall
It is important to check the validity of what you read online. | PHOTO: YURIARCURSPEOPLEIMAGES/ENVATO
With information available from a variety of channels, including social media, it can be tough to figure out what sources to trust. In a 2023 Statistics Canada study, 43 percent of respondents admitted that they were finding it increasingly challenging to distinguish between true and false information — especially for seniors. In the study, older readers reported that they are less likely to verify the information they consume online. Recently, online articles have been circulating that falsely claim new driver testing rules are set to come into effect for seniors early in 2026. These articles state that drivers over 70 will be subject to new vision, medical and cognitive tests, and will be required to renew licenses more frequently. While these stories are not true, the scare tactics in these headlines ensure their rapid spread. And when well-meaning family members, caring neighbours, local social media pages or blogs share these stories, it’s hard for senior drivers to know who to trust. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid falling prey to fraud. Lauren Fisher, manager of government and stakeholder relations at CAA Club Group, firstly wants people to understand the point of sharing false news stories.
“Fearmongering. They want people to be afraid,” she says, adding, “The more people are afraid, the more [people will] read.” More readers equals more clicks, which equals more advertising dollars. And while that’s not a straight line to the type of fraud that empties bank accounts, empowering seniors to recognize clickbait news when they see it is a powerful step towards online safety.
How to spot fake news
1. Verify the source
One very effective tool, according to Fisher, is understanding how to verify the credibility of a source. “Look for specifics,” Fisher suggests. “Are there certain dates [specified]? Are there quotes from trusted experts? Is there a quote from the [Transportation] minister himself?” She also recommends sticking with well-known and established media outlets, such as provincial or national broadcasters, or well-known media brands. “If CBC, CTV, CP24 and other sites aren’t reporting on it, it’s probably not true.” She also notes that there is a significant timeline involved in major legislative changes — it takes months or years for the process to be completed, before any new rules for senior drivers come into effect.
2. Regulatory changes will always be on regulatory websites
The first thing you can do to validate the suggestion of a new law is to go right to the government website. Laws and bills will have numbers associated with them. “You can go and check online — is Bill 33 real or is it not? If you have that number, you can see where it’s at within its process, because it just doesn’t happen overnight,” says Fisher.
“If CBC, CTV, CP24 and other sites aren’t reporting on it, it’s probably not true.”
3. Understand the reliability of a site
There are some verified news sources, such as the Canadian Press (CP) and Reuters. There are satirical sites such as The Onion, whose content is purely for entertainment value. And there are completely unverified sources, such as social media posts and blogs, where anyone can share their opinion. Just because a blog or influencer has a lot of followers, it doesn’t mean they always get it right — these are often based on opinion more than facts.
4. Use fact-checking websites
Internet sleuthing doesn’t need to take a lot of time and research; there are a few ways to get right down to facts. For something as important as a change in driving regulations, you want to go to an official source, such as the Ministry of Transportation website or official press releases. If there isn’t anything about the subject on the official site, then the story is likely fake. For an important piece of information, you can also search the headline (or the gist of it) on Snopes — try something like “Ontario passes new driving laws for seniors 2026.” Including the year helps ensure up-to-date results. Information about new laws coming into effect would never be kept secret, according to Fisher. In addition, CAA is “a very trusted stakeholder” of the Ministry of Transportation — to name just one of the governmental organizations that asks CAA to participate in its consultations. CAA would always inform Members of any relevant legislation. That gives senior drivers another layer of protection — not only against fraud, but as members of the driving public. Fisher also points out that one major advantage of CAA Membership is that you can contact the Club to seek clarification on any issue related to driving. “We’d be happy that you [connect with us], instead of falling for misinformation,” she explains. Members seeking more information can email gr@caasco.ca with questions. CAA
CAA's Toolkit for Senior Safety is a great resource for Members. | PHOTO: ERDEMP/ENVATO
CAA has created a special online toolkit for senior Members, with safety tips, reminders and resources for any driver who wants to keep motoring safely well into their golden years. You’ll find information about vision, hearing and motor skills concerns. It also includes up-to-date information on actual driving and testing requirements, tips on renewing licences and refreshing driving skills, adjusting driving habits and more.
