Fake news is gaining popularity and sowing controversy

Mélissa Gélinas

With the rise in technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, online disinformation, sometimes known as "fake news," has grown significantly.

The goal is to share false information to mislead individuals. Online disinformation is also designed to provoke strong emotional reactions in the recipient. In more serious cases, it can also lead to harassment, hatred, and violence.

False information can lead to poor daily decisions regarding health, finances, and more. Therefore, it is particularly harmful when it concerns health and well-being. It can involve miracle cures, weight-loss programs, false information about vaccinations, and more. According to the Government of Canada website, health misinformation can lead to financial loss, a lack of interest in seeking qualified medical help, and a health hazard (if counterfeit products/medications are taken).

While it's not always easy to spot, there are some warning signs to watch out for:

- Triggering an emotional reaction

- Bold statements on a controversial topic

- Exaggerated claims

- And many others

Several online fact-checking tools are also available to identify misinformation: https://bit.ly/fact-search, https://factcheck.afp.com/, and https://www.snopes.com/.

It is particularly recommended to identify the source of the information, verify it, and compare it with other media outlets to see if they report the same information.

Social media is one of the vehicles for spreading misinformation through fake profiles. To spot them, simply:

- Check your profile picture

- Identify spelling and/or grammar errors

- Look at interactions and follower count

- And much more

For more information about online disinformation, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/online-disinformation.html#1