Have you ever stopped scrolling because something online seemed too wild to be true? Well, you're in good company. A new study found that New Yorkers are among the most skeptical people in the country when it comes to checking facts and questioning what they see online.

New York Ranked Fourth in the Nation

Hard Rock Bet looked at Google search data from last year, looking at searches related to skepticism and fact checking. They looked at more than 100 search terms, including phrases like "Is this real?", "Fact-checker," and "Is it April Fools?"

They found that New York ranks as the fourth most skeptical state in the nation, with an average of 6,710 searches each month related to verifying information and checking if the claims are true.

Only Three States Ranked Higher

California got the top spot with nearly 16,000 monthly searches tied to skepticism and fact checking. Texas was second with almost 14,900 searches, while Florida came in third with about 8,800 monthly searches. New York, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan rounded out the top 10.

Why Skepticism May Be Growing

With social media feeds constantly filled with viral videos, shocking headlines, and unbelievable claims, more people are taking a second look before accepting information as fact.

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New Yorkers Are Asking Questions

The results show that New Yorkers are not quick to believe everything they see online. Instead, we are willing to pause, do some research, and look for proof before sharing information with others.

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In states where fireworks are legal to purchase, stores have to rely on creative names to entice buyers. It's not like they can just go out and light off a test rocket to show customers.

Here are some of the best fireworks names we found when searching leading industry stores' online inventory.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

How to Recognize Fake Money

If your money says "For Motion Picture Purposes Only", it's obviously fake. But what about when it might not be so obvious? The Secret Service offers these tips for analyzing your $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills to ensure it's real, legal tender.

Gallery Credit: Maria Danise

 

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