One click on a single post, unknowingly, thousands were deceived on something that was never true.
Simply browsing the internet may expose users to numerous posts which may seem convincing at first glance. However, not every post we see across social media is factual. Many internet users would easily fall into the trap of misleading posts showing on their news feed. These fake news were carefully designed to resemble authentic reports, misleading the public into believing disinformation.
Undoubtedly, fake news is almost everywhere. As the digital world continues to expand, it also increases the risk of rapid spread of false information. It is alarming how a misleading post can totally result in a hidden tragedy. With just one click, fake news can reach thousands or even millions of people, substantially leading to confusion, fear, and even conflict within the online community.
Based on a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 65% of respondents noted that it was challenging to figure out whether a news they have read, watched, or listened was factual or fake.
Who would be glad to know that they were fooled? It seems like we’ve already seen this scenario. In a children’s story entitled, “The boy who cried wolf,” the main character repeatedly deceives villagers by falsely crying for help. Every single time, the people rush to rescue him, only to discover that they have been tricked. The people trusted what they heard, unaware that they were being misled.
Similarly, disinformation in the digital world occurs when someone intentionally shares incorrect information to misguide the public. This news can potentially result in various cybercrimes and scams across the internet.
Recognizing authentic information can be challenging, mainly with the overwhelming amount of content online. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to spot fake news. There are practical ways to filter out and verify information you encounter online, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Information Institute.
One effective method is fact-checking. You can evaluate the information by double-checking the facts provided. Ensure that the sources certainly have backed up its claims. Through fact-checking, you can verify if an article is reliable if it provides accurate information. Similarly, you can look for other sources to verify if it can be trusted.
Before believing something, you should filter information first. You can spot fake news when you look closely at it. Also, you can ask yourself these questions: “Where did this information come from? Who posted this? Is this a credible source?”
As we navigate the digital world, countless pieces of news appear on our phone screens everyday. In a world full of lies and misinformation that can spread quickly as the truth, it is vital that we practice fact-checking so we can escape from the shackles of contagious clicks.