The spread of misinformation has become a pervasive and worrisome
problem. Increasingly, politicians, social media platforms, and organizations
with agendas are boosting misleading information, making it all too easy for
people to fall for fake news.
Why do people fall for fake news?
In society today, we’re feeling unsettled by doubts about the
economy, the government, and the gap between the elite and the rest of the
population. In these spaces, misinformation can grow. And as we get more of our
news online, it’s even easier to be steered away from evidence-based
information.
How can we talk to friends and family about fake news?
Everyone knows someone who believes in something false—but it is
possible to shift their thinking.
1. Resist the urge to argue—but don’t completely disengage.
When friends or family express an opinion different from yours,
don’t tell them they’re wrong. This often exacerbates the situation, putting
the other person on the defensive and increasing the divide between you.
While you want to avoid an argument, you don’t want to walk away from the
issue. Differing points of view don’t mean the end of a relationship, and you
want your loved ones to feel heard and supported. Instead of changing the
subject, open a constructive conversation about what they believe and why.
2. Build a bridge between their beliefs and yours.
Seek to understand their perspective, as well as what’s informed
it. When your friend or loved one expresses an opinion that may be misinformed,
ask, “What is it that makes you think that?” and find out where they’ve sourced
their information.
The systems and algorithms in place today to promote potentially misleading
information are unbelievably elaborate and sophisticated. It’s easy for a
simple internet search to send someone down a rabbit hole of misinformation.
Many of the results populated from a well-intentioned search will be paid
placements from outlets with an agenda, making it difficult even for informed
users to differentiate between fact and fiction.
3. Validate their concerns.
When someone is passionate about a topic, acknowledge the issue
and validate their desire for a solution. Recognizing their values and beliefs,
experiences and emotions will show you’re not “taking sides” or out to prove
them wrong. Rather, you want to support their quest for answers by helping them
gain a more thorough and reliable understanding of the topic.
Remember, your friends’ and families’ concerns are genuine and their feelings
are real, even if the evidence supporting them is not.
4. Turn the momentum around.
Lead your friends and loved ones to more legitimate ways of
interacting with their concerns. Let them know they’re not alone in their
beliefs and show them legitimate organizations or groups that are tackling the
topic.
People with a passion for an issue are often eager to act, but if their beliefs
are shaped by a mob with motives, their action can be misdirected. Help them
direct their energy in more productive ways. For example, inviting them to
crowd-source credible information can be a fun way to help them shift their
thinking. Or introducing them to a community group that has a track
record in creating equitable social change.
Fighting fake news
Concerns about misinformation are growing, and it’s becoming
increasingly difficult to separate fact from opinion. The most effective way to
fight the spread may be media literacy. Increase your friends’ and family’s
awareness and ability to identify trustworthy information. Encourage them to
think critically, ask questions about who benefits from fake news, and seek a
greater diversity of voices across credible sources.
Erin Steuter is professor of sociology with a focus on critical media studies and ideological representations in news and popular culture. She has won multiple awards for her teaching and research and is the author of three books about the media and the war on terror including Pop Culture Goes to War: Enlisting and Resisting Militarism in the War on Terror. She regularly offers workshops for schools and community groups that engage the public in contemporary media literacy issues.
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