suddenly created an account in order to share content, putting into question their motives to do so. However, there are various reasons for someone to create an account at a certain time, including a response to human rights violations. b. Looking at the time of creation of an account/profile in relation to the upload time of the content is also important. For instance, when developing an impression of an uploader it is relevant to bear in mind whether the video you are verifying is the first thing they ever uploaded or if they have posted a considerable amount of videos before it. c. A new account should be treated with caution, but its authenticity should not be immediately dismissed. 2. Is it a ‘verified’ account? a. A ‘verified’ account is an account acknowledged by the creator of the social media network. It indicates that the owner of the account is the person the account claims to be. On Twitter and Facebook, there will be a little blue circle with a tiny checkmark ( ) next to the person or organization’s name. On YouTube there will be a gray box and white checkmark( ). Usually, this will occur when the account reaches a certain number of followers, or if the person behind the account is a public figure or organization. Checking whether an account is verified can give you a better impression of the uploader’s identity and their expertise on the topic. An account having a ‘Verified’ status supports an impression that the account may be legitimate. According to Twitter, “The blue verified badge on Twitter lets people know that an account of public interest is authentic. We approve account types maintained by users in music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas.” Fakers also often add a Twitter blue verification check mark to the cover photo on a faked account to make it appear legitimate. To check whether an account is actually verified, hover over the blue tick, and you will see the text “verified account” pop up. If it’s not there, it is not a verified account. 3. How often is the uploader’s content viewed? a. Here you would ask, how many views do the uploader’s posts have and how many subscribers/followers has the account? 11