How to Detect Fake News

What is Fake News?

Fake news is false or misleading information presented as real news. It can be:

- Completely made-up stories (hoaxes)

- Biased or twisted facts (misinformation)

- Satire/jokes (not meant to harm but can mislead)

- Deepfakes & AI-generated content (fake images/videos)

Fake news spreads quickly on social media, often to manipulate opinions, make money through clicks, or cause confusion.

• A MIT study found that false news spreads 6 times faster than true news on Twitter (X).

• Fake news reaches 1,500 people 6 times faster than factual news. (Science Journal, 2018)

• 70% of fake news stories are shared more than 100 times, while only 30% of real news reach that level. (Pew Research Center)

Step-by-Step Guide to Detect Fake News

1. Check the Source

Look at the website name: Is it a well-known news outlet (BBC, Reuters) or a strange site (e.g., "TruthNews24.com")? Avoid suspicious domains (e.g., ".com.co" or sites with lots of pop-up ads). Google the website to see if it’s known for fake news.

2. Read Beyond the Headline

Click and read the full article—fake news often uses shocking headlines to trick people. Watch for excessive CAPS, errors, or emotional language (e.g., "SHOCKING! YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS!").

3. Verify the Author. Is there an author’s name?

If not, be suspicious. Search the author—are they real? Do they write for trusted sources?

4. Check the Date

Old news can resurface and be shared out of context. Misleading posts may use old images/videos to fit a new narrative.

5. Look for Other Sources

Search the story on Google/News—do major outlets report it? If only one obscure site has the story, it’s likely fake.

6. Check Images & Videos

Right-click an image → "Search Image with Google" to see if it’s been used before in a different context. For videos, check if they’re edited or taken from unrelated events.

7. Be Wary of Social Media Shares

Just because a friend/family member shared it doesn’t mean it’s true. Check if the post is marked "False" by fact-checkers (Facebook/Instagram sometimes label fake news).

8. Use Fact-Checking Websites. Sites like:

- Snopes.com

- FactCheck.org

- Politifact.com

- Reuters Fact Check

9. Think Before Sharing

If you’re unsure, don’t share! Spreading fake news can cause harm.

Final Tip:

Fake news often plays on emotions (anger, fear, excitement). If a story makes you feel extremely upset or shocked, double-check before believing it! By following these steps, you can avoid falling for fake news and help stop its spread.