The late New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan put it this way decades ago: “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”

To researchers who have studied moderation efforts and platforms, it’s the most recent move toward a more freewheeling and unbridled social media environment.

Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Threads​ - said it's ending its fact-checking program. What does that mean for social media?

The social networking giant will stop using third-party fact-checkers on Facebook, Threads and Instagram and instead rely on users to add notes to posts. It is likely to please President-elect Trump and his allies.

Zuckerberg said Meta would get rid of fact-checkers for Facebook, Instagram and Threads, starting in the United States, and replace it with a "community notes" system similar to t

Meta's announcement that it would scrap its fact-checking system was hailed by some, but it also prompted fears that it will allow more online hate.

Even before Meta dropped fact-checkers, it could be hard to know what to believe on social media. Parents can help kids sort through posts to learn what’s true.