How do you spot fake news and misinformation online?
To spot fake news and misinformation, first notice if a post makes you angry or scared, and slow down. Then check who posted it, when it happened, and where the image first appeared with a reverse image search. See whether reliable news outlets or fact-checkers report it too. Watch for alarm tone, no real source and pressure to share.
▶ Try it
Why it matters
False stories spread faster than true ones, because they're built to make you angry or scared. A two-minute check helps you see through them and keeps your friends and family from being fooled.
In 5 minutes you'll be able to
- Misinformation is built to make you angry or scared.
- Check: who, when, image search, other sources, feelings check.
- Check first, then share. And correct mistakes openly.
What you'll practise
Fact check
This post is going viral. Tap everything that should make you suspicious.
InfoBlitz_Now
‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️
From Monday, phones are completely banned at all schools, even on the way to school! The government is keeping it quiet.
Source: a mate of mine works at the education department
[Photo: police outside a school]
Share this before it gets deleted!!! 😡 What do you all think?Your 5-step check
Put the checking steps in a sensible order.
- Feelings check: is this making me angry or scared? Then slow down.
- Who posted it? Look at the profile, the account's age and earlier posts
- When did it happen? Check the date
- Check the image: reverse image search
- Other sources: are reliable news outlets or fact-checkers reporting it?
What now?
What do you do in these situations?
Your aunt shares the post in the family chat. What do you do?
- Kindly say it's false and send a link to a reliable source (Answer)
- Say nothing, it's only family
- Laugh at her in front of everyone
You've shared something false yourself. What now?
- Delete it and post a quick correction: “That was wrong, sorry.” (Answer)
- Quietly delete it and hope nobody noticed
A post makes you really angry. What does that mean?
- It's a signal to slow down and check (Answer)
- That it's important and needs sharing right away
Remember
Angry or scared? Slow down and check before you share.
Strong feelings are a signal to slow down.
Key facts
- In a study of about 126,000 stories shared on a social network from 2006 to 2017, false news was 70% more likely to be reshared than true news. · Source: Vosoughi, Roy & Aral, The spread of true and false news online, Science, 2018
- In the same study, true stories took about six times as long as false ones to reach 1,500 people. People, not bots, drove most of the difference. · Source: Vosoughi, Roy & Aral, The spread of true and false news online, Science, 2018
- A reverse image search shows where and when a photo first appeared online, which quickly exposes old or unrelated pictures reused as “breaking news”.
- Misinformation is false information shared by mistake; disinformation is false information spread on purpose. Both spread the same way: through people who don't check first.
Updated:
Questions people ask
What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?
Misinformation is false or misleading information, often shared by people who believe it. Disinformation is false information created and spread on purpose to deceive.
Why does fake news spread so fast?
Because it's often new, shocking and emotional, and people share surprising things quickly. Research shows false news spreads faster and further than true news.
How do you do a reverse image search?
In a search engine's image search, upload the picture or paste its link. The results show where else it has appeared online and when, so you can see if it's old or from somewhere else.
How do you tell someone they shared fake news?
Message them kindly, ideally in private, and include a link to a reliable source or fact-check. Avoid mocking them, because people defend false info more when they feel shown up.
Related terms