Every day, millions of false stories, made-up warnings, and misleading articles are shared online. Some are harmless. Others cause real harm — they spread fear, damage reputations, or even influence people’s health decisions.

Here is how to tell the difference between real and fake information.

Why Fake News Spreads So Quickly

False stories are often designed to make you feel strong emotions — fear, anger, or excitement. When we feel these emotions, we are more likely to share something without thinking. That is exactly what the people who create fake news want.

Ask yourself before sharing: “Does this make me feel something strong? Is that a reason to trust it or to be more careful?”

Step 1: Check the Source

Where did the story come from?

• Is it from a well-known, reputable news organisation — like the BBC, Reuters, the Guardian?
• Or is it from a website you have never heard of, with an unusual name?

Look for an “About Us” page on the website. Does it have real journalists and contact information? Or does it look anonymous and vague?

Some fake news websites are designed to look like real news sites. Check the web address carefully — bbc-news-today.com is NOT the BBC.

Step 2: Check the Date

Some articles that circulate online are very old. A “shocking” story shared today may have actually happened years ago and is no longer relevant.

Always check when the article was published.

Step 3: Search for the Story Elsewhere

If something important has happened, multiple news organisations will have reported it. Search for the story on Google.

• If only one obscure website is reporting something, be very suspicious
• If the BBC, Sky News, and other major outlets all confirm it, it is likely true

Step 4: Check Fact-Checking Websites

There are websites that specifically investigate viral claims and tell you whether they are true or false:

• Full Fact (fullfact.org) — UK-based fact checker
• Snopes (snopes.com) — very thorough, US-based but covers global stories
• BBC Reality Check (bbc.com/news/reality_check)

If a story or WhatsApp message seems unbelievable, search for it on one of these sites.

Step 5: Be Careful with Images and Videos

Photos and videos can be taken out of context. An image from an event in one country may be shared as if it happened in another. Videos from years ago get shared as if they are current.

If you want to check where a photo really came from:

1. On a computer, right-click the image
2. Click “Search image with Google” (or “Search image on Bing”)
3. Google will show you where else that image appears on the internet

Warning Signs of a Fake Story

• The headline uses extreme language: “SHOCKING!”, “You won’t believe this!”
• The article does not name any real journalists or experts
• There are lots of spelling or grammar mistakes
• It asks you to share urgently before it is “taken down”
• The story cannot be found anywhere else

Chain Messages on WhatsApp and Facebook

Be very careful about messages that ask you to forward them to everyone you know. These are almost always false.

Common examples:

• “Warning: a new virus is spreading — share this with all your contacts!”
• “Free supermarket vouchers — share to claim yours!”
• “The government is changing the law — tell everyone before midnight!”

Before forwarding any message, ask yourself: “Has a real news organisation reported this?” If the answer is no, do not share it.

Sharing false information is easy to do by mistake — and hard to undo. Taking 30 extra seconds to check a story before sharing it makes a real difference.