How do I spot fake news?
Advice for young people
Learn how to spot whether a news story you see is fake or true.
You are in: The hard stuff
What to think about
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You see a story that looks true, but is it?
Tap or click on the boxes below to learn more
What is an example of fake news?
‘Frogs eats Donkey’ or ‘COVID-19 is caused by 5G’.
But ‘fake news’ stories might have some bit of truth in them that makes it harder to spot that they are fake. Truth and lies get mixed up so it is hard to tell what is true or not.
How do people try to hide that it is a fake news story?
They might try and make it look like a well-known newspaper or use another trusted logo.
Watch this video to see how a group young people got on when they were challenged to spot fake news stories. Watch this video.
Why do people share fake news?
- It could be that they shared it by mistake thinking it was true
- They might share it to get more likes or clicks
- Someone may have written it on purpose to make people worry or to get themselves noticed
Ask yourself
- Have I seen this story anywhere else online or on the TV or radio?
- Do I know where it came from in the first place?
Try not to get upset by a frightening story – it may not be true. Ask your parents or carer to check it out with you.
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