Disinformation facts for kids

Disinformation is when someone shares false or wrong information on purpose. They do this to trick or mislead people. It can involve fake documents, made-up stories, or even edited photos. Often, governments or big groups use disinformation to confuse their rivals.

What is Disinformation?

Disinformation is different from simply making a mistake. It's about spreading lies with a clear goal in mind. This goal is usually to make people believe something that isn't true. It can also be used to make someone look bad or to cause confusion.

How is it Spread?

Disinformation can be spread in many ways. In the past, it might have been through fake letters or rumors. Today, it often spreads very quickly online. Social media, fake websites, and even some news outlets can be used to share false information.

Disinformation vs. Misinformation

It's helpful to know the difference between disinformation and misinformation.

• Disinformation is false information spread on purpose to deceive. The person spreading it knows it's fake.
• Misinformation is also false information, but the person spreading it might not know it's untrue. They might genuinely believe it's real.

Why is Disinformation Used?

People and groups use disinformation for many reasons.

• To gain an advantage: A country might spread false rumors about a rival country to make it seem weak.
• To influence opinions: Disinformation can be used to change how people think about a topic, a person, or an event.
• To cause confusion: Sometimes, the goal is just to create chaos and make it hard for people to know what's true.
• For money: Some people create fake news stories to get clicks and earn money from advertising.

Examples of Disinformation

Disinformation has been used throughout history.

• During the Cold War, countries often tried to trick each other with false stories. For example, there was a campaign to make people believe that the United States had created the AIDS virus. This was a complete lie.
• Today, you might see disinformation online about important events, health topics, or even famous people. These stories are designed to make you feel a certain way or believe something that isn't true.

How to Spot Disinformation

It's important to be able to tell if information is real or fake. Here are some tips:

• Check the source: Who published the information? Is it a reliable news organization or a website you've never heard of?
• Look for evidence: Does the story include facts, quotes, or links to other trustworthy sources?
• Consider the author: Is the author an expert on the topic? Do they have a clear bias?
• Read beyond the headline: Headlines can be misleading. Always read the full article.
• Be skeptical of strong emotions: Disinformation often tries to make you feel very angry, scared, or excited. If a story makes you feel this way, pause and think critically.
• Check other sources: See if other trusted news organizations are reporting the same story. If not, it might be fake.

Learning to spot disinformation helps you make better decisions and understand the world more clearly.

Images for kids

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  Former Romanian secret police senior official Ion Mihai Pacepa exposed disinformation history in his book Disinformation (2013).

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  Chief of Russian foreign intelligence Yevgeny Primakov confirmed in 1992 that Operation INFEKTION was a disinformation campaign to make the world believe that the United States had invented AIDS.

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  How Disinformation Can Be Spread, explanation by U.S. Defense Department (2001)

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  A framework for how disinformation spreads in social media.

See also

In Spanish: Desinformación para niños