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Why do we find it so easy to believe fake news?
Have you ever believed a story simply because the headline sounded shocking?
Have you shared a post because thousands of others had already done so?
Or skimmed through news on social media without checking the source?
Online, we often react quickly and emotionally. We read fast, scroll faster, and rarely pause to verify what we see. The fear of missing out (FOMO), our tendency towards confirmation bias, and social media algorithms that create filter bubbles – showing us the same viewpoints again and again – can make fake news appear credible and spread rapidly.
At the distinguished lecture “Media, Marketing, and Misinformation in the Digital Age,” Dr Moon Nguyen, Lecturer at BUV, explored how fake news is created, why it spreads so quickly, and why developing strong digital literacy is becoming an essential skill for pupils today.
- Swipe through the slides to discover:
- Key facts about how young people consume news
- Common signs that reveal fake news
- Practical ways to strengthen pupils’ digital literacy
Research suggests that young people still face significant challenges when evaluating information online.
- 80% of students believed that a piece of “sponsored content” was a real news story. (Stanford, 2016)
- Many students could not distinguish fake accounts from real ones, or advertisements from news articles. (Stanford, 2016)
- Most students accepted photographs and online information as presented without verifying the source. (Stanford, 2016)
- Only 53% of young people said they take time to consider whether a news story is true or not. (National Literacy Trust, 2022)
These findings highlight the growing importance of equipping pupils with the skills to critically evaluate information in the digital environment.
Fake news does not appear by accident. It is often deliberately designed to capture attention, trigger emotions, and encourage rapid sharing on social media.
- Extremely high numbers of likes and shares
- Emotional or angry language used to provoke strong reactions
- Sensational headlines such as “You won’t believe this!”
- Strong identity alignment that appeals to specific beliefs or groups
- Endorsement by trusted influencers, increasing perceived credibility
- Overly simple explanations for complex issues
- Professional-looking but unfamiliar sources
- Urgent language encouraging immediate action, such as sharing or reacting quickly
In the digital age, digital literacy goes beyond simply using technology. It involves understanding how information works online and engaging with it critically and responsibly. Here are some key ways pupils can strengthen their digital literacy:
- Noticing design tricks: Technologies are intentionally designed, and design choices are not neutral. Many platforms aim to capture attention and generate revenue as part of the attention economy.
- Steering clear of thinking traps: Pupils should learn to identify common thinking traps, understand how they can influence judgement while using technology, and challenge misleading or negative thoughts.
- Tackling tech habits: Reflecting on their own technology habits — both positive and negative — can help pupils build motivation to make healthier and more responsible choices when using digital platforms.
