Step 3 of 8Explainer7 min
Why fakes spread
Go back to Ethan’s clip. Marcus made it knowing it was false. That’s
Now say a friend forwards it, sure it’s real. That’s
One clip, two people. Marcus knew. Your friend didn’t.
Why would someone make a fake on purpose? People have many reasons. Here are two.
Win an advantage. Marcus wanted to win an election. Fakes can be used to damage a rival.
Make money or get attention. Shocking posts get clicks and views, and some people profit from that.
Why do the rest of us share? Fakes often make us feel something strong, like surprise or anger. That feeling can make us share without thinking.
Think about it
Who gains if the Ethan clip spreads? Who gets hurt?
Did the sharer know it was false?
Card 1 of 4
Marcus makes a fake clip to hurt Ethan
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Disinformation 0 cards
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Misinformation 0 cards
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Sources5 links behind the facts on this page
- Understanding Information disorder (First Draft)
- Types of news: Information Literacy and "Fake News" (Fullerton College Library)
- Information Disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policymaking (Shorenstein Center)
- Disinformation: Misinformation, Disinformation, and Bias (Eastern Michigan University Library)
- Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder (Scientific American)