Why should you care?
Because even small encounters with false information can shape your decisions, your opinions, and your well-being.
As Dr. Claire Wardle, a leading expert on misinformation and cofounder of First Draft, explains, disinformation—deliberately false or misleading information—is a societal challenge that shapes perceptions, amplifies divides, and erodes trust.
It’s a pervasive issue that requires collective action from individuals, governments, and platforms to mitigate its harm.
What is Disinformation? And Why is it Dangerous?
Dr. Claire Wardle’s framework on information disorders offers three key distinctions:
- Disinformation: False information shared deliberately to cause harm.
- Misinformation: False information shared unknowingly.
- Mal-information: Genuine information shared to cause harm, such as leaking private emails or spreading revenge porn.
These distinctions are essential because they reveal the varied ways harmful information can spread and target individuals.
For example, misinformation often stems from well-meaning people sharing falsehoods they believe to be true, while disinformation is created and amplified by actors who deliberately seek to manipulate public perception.
Disinformation thrives on exploiting our cognitive biases.
The illusory truth effect, where repeated exposure to a lie makes it feel true, is a powerful driver.
Additionally, platforms designed for rapid sharing often amplify the spread of harmful content, making disinformation a systemic challenge.
The Everyday Faces of Disinformation
Disinformation isn’t just a big, abstract issue—it’s something most of us encounter daily.
Here are some examples of how it shows up, supported by research from both Wardle’s work and broader studies:
- Satire or Parody
- Example: Platforms like The Onion create humorous content, but jokes can become misinformation when misunderstood.
- Impact: A satirical article about a politician supporting an absurd policy might be shared as fact, especially by audiences unfamiliar with the source’s intent. Wardle notes that satire is often misused as a shield for spreading disinformation, claiming “I was just joking.”
- Clickbait Headlines (False Connection)
- Example: Headlines promising shocking revelations often have little connection to the article’s actual content.
- Research: Studies show people are 60% more likely to share headlines without reading the full article.
- Fake News (Fabricated Content)
- Example: Entirely made-up stories, like conspiracy theories about election fraud or false COVID-19 cures, can spread widely and influence public opinion.
- Manipulated Images (Misleading Content)
- Example: Viral, photoshopped images, such as the infamous “shark on a highway” during floods, resurface during unrelated events to exaggerate situations.
- Out-of-Context Content (False Context)
- Example: Genuine media shared with misleading captions. For instance, old protest footage repurposed to create panic during recent events.
- Wardle’s Insight: “False context is one of the most damaging tactics,” as it manipulates genuine content to create confusion and distrust.
Why It Matters to You
Disinformation affects all of us—directly or indirectly.
Here’s how it plays out in real life:
- Public Opinion
- Impact: False narratives polarize communities and create distrust in institutions. For example, during major elections, disinformation about voter fraud can undermine confidence in democratic systems.
- Phenomenon: Wardle explains how agents of disinformation deliberately exploit the journalistic instinct to “debunk”, knowing that even fact-checking can inadvertently amplify false narratives.
- Health Risks
- Impact: Vaccine misinformation has led to declining vaccination rates globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, false claims about vaccine safety fueled widespread hesitancy.
- WHO Warning: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared vaccine misinformation a major health threat in 2019.
- Financial Scams
- Impact: Fraudulent investment schemes and phishing attacks rely on fake news to lure victims. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports millions lost annually to scams linked to online disinformation.
Each time false information spreads, it chips away at trust—in institutions, communities, and even ourselves.
How to Spot and Stop Disinformation
The good news? Disinformation isn’t unstoppable.
By staying vigilant, you can protect yourself and others.
Here are practical tips:
Fact-Check Before You Share
- Use tools like Snopes, PolitiFact, or fact-checking features on platforms like Google.
- Search for the same story on trusted news sites to confirm its validity.
Think Critically
- Ask questions:
- Who posted this?
- What’s the source?
- Does it seem too good (or bad) to be true?
- Be cautious with content that triggers strong emotions—disinformation thrives on fear and anger.
Pause Before Reacting
- Take a moment to analyze the information instead of sharing or commenting immediately. Disinformation spreads fastest through impulsive reactions.
Learn to Identify Manipulated Media
- Look for inconsistencies in lighting, shadows, or proportions in photos and videos.
- Use reverse image search tools like TinEye or Google Images to trace the origins of suspicious images.
Educate Others
- Share these tips with friends and family unfamiliar with disinformation tactics.
- Encourage open conversations about verifying information and staying informed.
Take Back Control
Disinformation thrives when we fail to recognize it, but it doesn’t have to control our lives.
By staying informed, thinking critically, and pausing before reacting, you can help stop the spread of false information and build a more trustworthy digital world.
As Dr. Wardle notes, “The most effective disinformation contains a kernel of truth,” making it essential to develop skills for identifying and debunking it.
Start by asking questions, fact-checking claims, and sharing accurate information—because the fight against disinformation starts with you.
Sources
- Wardle, Claire. Demystifying Online Misinformation. University of Oregon, 2020. Access here
- World Health Organization (WHO). Vaccine misinformation. 2019. Read more
- Additional insights from studies on disinformation and media literacy.
