Hoax facts for kids

A hoax is like a trick or a prank that makes people believe something that isn't true. It's a made-up story or event that someone tries to pass off as real. Hoaxes can be funny, like an April Fools' Day joke, or they can be more serious, trying to trick many people.

Sometimes, a person might make up false stories about something happening to them. Other times, an article or a news report might spread untrue information. The goal of a hoax is to make people think something is true when it's actually false.

What is a Hoax?

A hoax is a deliberate attempt to deceive or trick people. It's not just a mistake or an accident. The person creating the hoax wants others to believe their made-up story. Hoaxes can spread quickly, especially with the internet and social media.

Types of Hoaxes

Hoaxes come in many forms. Some are harmless pranks, while others can cause confusion or even harm.

Funny Hoaxes

• April Fools' Day Pranks: These are common hoaxes played on April 1st. News channels or websites might report silly, fake stories that are later revealed to be jokes. For example, a news report about spaghetti growing on trees was a famous April Fools' hoax.
• Practical Jokes: These are smaller hoaxes played on friends or family. They are usually meant to be funny and are not designed to cause serious trouble.

Serious Hoaxes

• Fake News: Sometimes, false stories are created to mislead people about important events or public figures. These can spread quickly online and make it hard to tell what is true.
• Scientific Hoaxes: In the past, some people have tried to trick scientists with fake discoveries. One famous example was the Piltdown Man hoax, where fake bones were presented as an early human ancestor.
• Internet Scams: Many hoaxes happen online. These can include emails promising large sums of money or fake contests that try to get your personal information.

Famous Hoaxes in History

Throughout history, there have been many famous hoaxes that tricked a lot of people.

The Great Moon Hoax (1835)

In 1835, a New York newspaper called The Sun published a series of articles claiming that famous astronomer Sir John Herschel had discovered life on the Moon. The articles described strange creatures like winged humans and unicorns living there. Many people believed the stories, and the newspaper sold many copies. Eventually, it was revealed to be a complete fabrication.

The Dreadnought Hoax (1910)

This was a clever prank played by a group of friends, including the famous writer Virginia Woolf. They pretended to be the Emperor of Abyssinia and his royal party. They tricked the British Royal Navy into giving them a special tour of their most powerful battleship, the HMS Dreadnought. They spoke in a made-up language and wore costumes. The Navy was very embarrassed when the hoax was revealed.

How to Spot a Hoax

It's important to be careful about what you read and hear, especially online. Here are some tips to help you spot a hoax:

• Check the Source: Is the information coming from a reliable and trustworthy website or news organization?
• Look for Evidence: Does the story provide facts, dates, and names that can be checked?
• Too Good or Bad to Be True: If something sounds unbelievable, it probably is.
• Check Other Sources: Do other reputable news outlets or websites report the same story? If not, be suspicious.
• Look for Emotional Language: Hoaxes often use strong, emotional words to make you react quickly without thinking.

Being aware of hoaxes helps you stay informed and avoid being tricked.

Images for kids

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  The Dreadnought hoaxers in Abyssinian regalia; the bearded figure on the far left is in fact the writer Virginia Woolf.

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  Great Moon Hoax

See also

In Spanish: Bulo para niños