The information presented – that 90% of teenagers experience anxiety due to social media – is highly questionable and likely unreliable. Several factors contribute to this:

• Source: The website's credibility is unknown. Is it a reputable academic institution, a government agency, a well-known research organization, or a personal blog? Without knowing the source, it's impossible to assess its authority.
• Bias: The statement is very strong (90%) and could indicate a biased source. The source might have a vested interest in portraying social media negatively (e.g., a mental health charity focusing on the harms of social media).
• Up-to-date information: The information needs to be dated. Social media trends and the impact on mental health are constantly evolving. A statistic from 5 years ago might not be relevant today.
• Evidence: The website should provide evidence to support this claim. Does it cite research studies, surveys, or other credible sources? A lack of supporting evidence is a major red flag.

Therefore, the 90% figure should be treated with extreme skepticism. The student needs to seek information from more reliable sources like academic journals, reputable news organizations, or government reports. They should look for corroborating evidence from multiple sources before accepting this claim as fact.

Assessing the reliability of information on search engines is crucial. The internet contains a mix of accurate and inaccurate information, so users must be critical consumers of online content.

Characteristics of reliable sources:

• Authoritative source: The source is an expert in the field or a reputable organization.
• Accuracy: The information is factually correct and supported by evidence.
• Objectivity: The information is presented in a fair and unbiased manner.
• Currency: The information is up-to-date and relevant.
• Purpose: The purpose of the website is clear and transparent.

Techniques for evaluating website credibility:

• Check the 'About Us' page: Learn about the website's mission, ownership, and funding.
• Look for citations and references: Reliable sources will cite their sources.
• Check the domain extension: .gov, .edu, and .org domains are generally more reliable than .com domains.
• Cross-reference information: Compare the information with other reliable sources.
• Be wary of biased or sensational headlines: These are often used to attract clicks rather than provide accurate information.

Potential dangers of misinformation:

• False news: Deliberately fabricated news stories designed to mislead.
• Propaganda: Information used to promote a particular political cause or viewpoint.
• Conspiracy theories: Unsubstantiated claims about secret plots or events.
• Fake reviews: False or misleading reviews designed to manipulate consumer behavior.

How to avoid misinformation:

• Be skeptical: Question everything you read online.
• Verify information with multiple sources.
• Use fact-checking websites (e.g., Snopes, PolitiFact).
• Be aware of your own biases.

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a specific address that identifies the location of a resource on the internet. It provides the information needed to locate and access a particular file or webpage. As explained in the previous question, a URL comprises several components.

A hyperlink is a reference to another part of a document or to another document. It is typically displayed as a coloured and underlined word or image.

How hyperlinks function in a web browser: When a user clicks on a hyperlink, the web browser interprets the URL associated with that hyperlink. It then sends a request to the web server specified in the URL. The server responds by sending the requested resource (e.g., a webpage, image, or document) back to the browser. The browser then renders and displays the resource to the user.

Purpose of a web browser: A web browser is a software application used to access and display content on the World Wide Web. Its primary functions include:

• Interpreting and displaying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code.
• Sending requests to web servers.
• Receiving and displaying responses from web servers.
• Navigating between webpages using hyperlinks.
• Managing bookmarks and browsing history.
• Providing security features to protect users from malicious websites.