What’s real and what’s not? How to spot disinformation, misinformation and fake news

• Who has the content been created by (a journalist? a scientist? a celebrity? a friend?) and are they from a reputable organisation?
• Do I trust the judgement of the person who shared it? Remember, even people you trust, like family and friends, might share something that is factually incorrect without realising it.
• Is there any hard evidence (e.g. scientific data) to back up the claims?
• Are certain words – like ‘amazing’ or ‘shocking’ – being used to get my attention?
• Are there any spelling mistakes and does the website have an unusual address (URL)?
• Could the creator have an ulterior motive (e.g. to make money from clickthroughs)?
• Have I seen this content anywhere else?
• Is it too good to be true?

We recommend using BBC Reality Check, Google Fact Check Explorer or Full Fact to confirm the validity of online content.

• Try to get your information from trusted sources, such as well-known news websites.
• Only check the news and your social media once or twice a day – ‘doomscrolling’ for hours on end isn’t healthy.
• Switch off social media notifications.
• Remove yourself from certain groups (e.g. on WhatsApp and Facebook).
• Look for verified content, such as verification ticks on YouTube channels and blue verified badges on Twitter profiles.
• Do a reverse image search on Google to find out where a particular image came from.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom Phillips of Full Fact wrote in The Guardian, “It’s a natural response to a scary situation to pass on advice that you think might help protect your friends and family. But if that information turns out to be inaccurate, you risk doing more harm than good.”

• Take a moment before you share any content, such as social media posts or links to articles – think how widely your web of contacts could pass it on!
• Ask yourself the questions outlined in step 1 (above).
• Consider the impact the content could have on the people you share it with – if you think it might upset or worry them, don’t send it.

• Try not to worry about something you’ve seen online until you’ve checked it out in more detail.
• Don’t get drawn into heated debates with online contacts – social media is great for connecting with other people but you might not always agree with everyone’s opinions.
• Try to avoid ‘echo chambers’ (places where everyone has exactly the same opinion and might try to change your personal views).
• Balance your screen time with other activities – go for a walk, listen to some music, call a friend.