Fake News

Do you know what to look for?

Finding trusted information helps you to make the best choices for your health.

What is fake news?

‘Fake news’ describes information that is not true. Fake news can be on websites, in videos and social media. It is difficult because it can look real.

Fake news can:

Stop people from getting the healthcare they need

Make mental health worse

Make people not trust health staff like doctors or nurses

To make sure something is true, double-check the information with other trusted sources.

Example of fake news.

Things to think about when looking
for health information

Is it an advert?

Is someone trying to sell you something?

Who created the information?

Was it an expert with lots of knowledge or someone giving their opinion?

Why is the Information there?

Sometimes websites try and mislead or misinform people.

Search engine order

Just because a website is at the top of a search page, it doesn't mean we can trust it straight away.

How to spot fake news

References

World Health Organisation (2022) Infodemics and misinformation negatively affect people’s health behaviours, new WHO review finds. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-09-2022-infodemics-and-misinformation-negatively-affect-people-s-health-behaviours–new-who-review-finds

Hilton, L. (2021) Impact and consequences of medical misinformation. (November 10). Contemporary Pediatrics. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/impact-and-consequences-of-medical-misinformation

Fake News

Do you know what to look for?

What is fake news?