Seek advice on Internet with caution!

Oxymoronic it may sound but one has to understand the implications of going by any random advice on the internet or by an unqualified person.

There is no dearth of advisers and the situation has only deteriorated with the access to internet.

Any problem for which one is compelled to ask for guidance, seems larger than life. And anyone offering a solution to it is welcomed with open arms but one must not ignore the importance of giving it a serious thought before accepting just anything.

Before seeking an advice, think about the possibilities of it backfiring. Assess the damage level and then proceed.

Internet is flooded with health tips, relationship tips and what not; and sadly enough people just scribble things without checking the authenticity of their claims.

Four sure shot ways to choose better:

Qualification: See if the person giving those tips has the authority to do so? When it comes to health advice, if you want to determine his/her qualifications look for the letters RD (registered dietitian), PhD (in nutritional sciences, biochemistry, or molecular biology, for example), MD (many doctors specialize in diet and nutrition). Some registered dietitians do refer to themselves as nutritionists because it is such a recognizable term, but their credentials set them apart. So keep your eyes open.

Credibility: Gauge how credible that person is through his earlier articles and the viewership.

Reviews section: Though reviews can not be taken on the face value to assess one's credibility (as it can be manipulated through fake posts) but it surely can give you an idea of what to expect- follow your gut feeling when it comes to reviews.

Brand value: Look if the page belongs to a famous or at least a known brand, as they seldom ever give such responsibility to incompetent people.