Fake news are stories and information made to influence or change how you feel, think and act. Social media and the internet has made it harder to spot fake news. So, how can we make sure we can spot fake news?
There are different types of fake news:
Satire
This is information made for fun or to turn a serious situation into something funny. Some people might not realise it is not real news.
The Onion or the Betoota Advocate are examples of satirical news organisations.
Clickbait
These are attention grabbing titles that make you feel pressured to click on them.
An example of a clickbait title is, “Win $1 million dollars by filling in this quick form now.”
Disinformation
This is information that is made and shared to trick people or change how they think about something.
AI content
AI can make fake images or videos. It can be used to make things that look very real.
Sometimes this can be done for fun, but it can also be used to try to trick you.
How to spot fake news
Where did the article come from?
Think about where you found the information. Is it from a trusted news organisation? Is the person who originally made it hidden? It’s important to think twice about the information you see on social media.
Check the website address
Check the URL of the website. Some fake news websites use fake web addresses to look like trusted news organisations.
Who wrote the article?
Is the author credible and trust worthy? You can learn more about an author by searching their name online to look for what other organisations they have written articles for.
Look for references
Does the article include references? Think about whether the information is real or based on how someone thinks. If there are no references or evidence to their story, it could be fake.
Visit the Be Connected website to learn more about how to spot fake news.