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- Written by Kimberly Blaker Kimberly Blaker
Thanks to the internet’s prevalence and easy access through smartphones and other devices, the latest news, information, and anything you could ever want to know are all just a few clicks away.
Unfortunately, the growth of information on the internet has given rise to fake news and misleading or factually incorrect information. The problem of fake news continues to worsen, causing further division in our communities and across the country.
Everyone who spends time on the internet will be exposed to fake news at some point, and many will be taken in by false claims. But some demographics are more susceptible.
Those who create and spread fake news know which demographics tend to struggle more with technology and information, targeting specific populations that may not have developed the skills and nuance to know how to sort facts from fiction online.
In fact, Andrew Guess et al. published their study of the 2016 presidential campaign, “Less than you think: Prevalence and predictors of fake news dissemination on Facebook.”
They found that Facebook users over the age of 65 were almost seven times more likely to share fake news articles than the youngest age range.
Seniors may be particularly at risk for fake news because they’re “digital immigrants” who learned to use computers and similar devices at an older age.
“Digital natives,” on the other hand, are those who grew up in a world with the internet, computers, and smartphones and have had more experience and understanding of its subtleties.
It’s almost like the difference between being fluent in a language you were raised with versus learning a new language when you’re older.
Despite this, statistics show that all age groups and demographics are susceptible to falling for or sharing fake news.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat and hinder the widespread dispersal of fake news. It just requires learning to differentiate between sources to gather accurate and verified information.
Types and Sources of Fake News
Fake news comes in many forms and can be tricky to recognize. Generally, it can be found in any form of online media, particularly news articles. But a plethora of videos, posts, and pictures on the internet present inaccurate information as truthful.
Fake news stories are usually either completely false or have some truth, but they aren’t entirely accurate in the presentation. The first type is easier to recognize, while the second can be more difficult and cause more confusion.
Sometimes fake news is unintentionally spread when something is misunderstood or taken out of context. Still, it can be done deliberately to twist what someone said or did to persuade readers to believe something untrue.
Satire sites sometimes become sources of fake news when people reading or sharing these articles are unfamiliar with the website’s purpose. Many of these sites don’t prominently note they’re publishing parodies rather than reporting factual information, so it can be hard to distinguish parody sites from a legitimate source.
Some common satire sites include:
- The Onion
- The Babylon Bee
- Borowitz Report
- The Daily Currant
- Empire News
- CAP News
- Big American News
- National Report
How to Spot Fake News
When trying to determine if an article or information is fact or fiction, there are some questions you can ask to help yourself spot fake news.
- Does the website have a suffix indicating legitimacy, such as .gov, .edu, or .org?
- Does it come from a known media outlet, such as a reputable news station or other organization?
- Who’s the author, and what are their credentials?
- Are other major news stations or sources reporting similar information?
- Does the article itself include linked sources or citations to back up its claims?
- Is the website selling a product?
- Is there an obvious bias against a person or group?
- Is the headline attention-grabbing and unbelievable?
The written word isn’t the only method by which people can share or spread fake news. Images and “deep fake” videos are easy to create with current technology.
Just because you see a video, hear audio, or see a picture doesn’t mean it’s accurate. There may be missing context, like a photo being cropped, or it could be from a different time or place. It could be edited with parts cut out, slowed down, or sped up. It’s even possible to add or remove both audio and visual content.
If you’re feeling unsure about recognizing fake news, online classes are available to help. Through a class, you can learn how to spot fake news, see examples, and ask questions.
Classes are offered through some colleges and universities. There are also online classes available through organizations such as Senior Planet (seniorplanet.org), AARP (aarp.org), and MediaWise for Seniors (poynter.org/mediawise/programs/seniors).
Remember that just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it’s fake news. Fake news refers to something that is demonstrably false or cannot be verified.
How to Combat or Prevent the Spread of Misinformation
Fake news is created to be shared. Articles, pictures, and videos designed to mislead can quickly spread once people start sharing with their friends, who also share until it becomes widely viewed.
Creators often rely on provoking an emotional response, especially fear or outrage, making you feel like it’s your duty to share this vital information with others. Even commenting on or reacting to a post can increase its visibility, causing it to spread.
- Don’t share any resources without pausing to fact-check them at sites such as PolitiFact (politifact.com), Snopes (snopes.com), and FactCheck.org.
- Report posts or articles that are intentionally misleading or inaccurate.
- Read more than just the catchy, attention-grabbing headlines.
- Educate others: Don’t be afraid to call it out when someone shares fake news (but be kind because the person sharing it doesn’t likely realize it’s fake).
Once you understand how to recognize fake news, you can be a proud part of the movement to stop the spread of misinformation.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com.