Students and an expert discuss the growing challenge of distinguishing truth and fake news on social media and what we can do about it.
Someone using TikTok to receive their news from MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. © 2024 Rosie Rapisarda
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — In today’s digital age, information spreads faster than ever, and so does misinformation.
From political conspiracy theories to misleading health claims, fake content is increasingly influencing public opinion. As a result, the use of social media as a primary news source has blurred the lines between fact and fiction.
“Fake news is definitely a problem today. It’s everywhere on social media. Sometimes we don’t know what to believe,” said Kay Racine, a master’s student in broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University.
The Rise of Misinformation
According to Pew Research, more than half of Americans get news from social media, and nearly nine out of 10 use a phone, tablet, or computer to stay updated.
According to Pew Research, 54% of Americans report getting at least some of their news from social media, while 46% do not rely on these platforms for news. © 2024 Rosie Rapisarda
Whether they’re scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or X, many users now turn to their favorite apps not just for entertainment, but to stay informed. The convenience of having news at your fingertips is appealing, but it comes with risks.
Experts caution that just because something goes viral doesn’t mean it’s been fact-checked. Social media algorithms are designed to boost content that grabs attention. It’s usually content that’s often dramatic, polarizing, or emotionally charged, regardless of its truthfulness or accuracy.
That kind of exposure can lead to real-world consequences: confusion, distrust, and decisions based on misinformation.
“Sometimes it’s like, I intake fake news and I don’t even realize it, ” Racine said.
Why People Fall for Fake News
So why does misinformation work? Experts say it’s not just the content, it’s the psychology behind it.
Makana Chock, a professor of communications and research at Syracuse University who studies media psychology. © 2024 Rosie Rapisarda.
“Most commonly, you see things that are angry, consistent with your own beliefs and you share it,” said Makana Chock, a professor of communications and research at Syracuse University who studies media psychology.
“Sometimes, it is something positive or really nice, but it’s usually something very emotion getting,” she added.
That emotional reaction is key. When something confirms what we already believe or causes a strong response, we’re less likely to pause and verify it. Instead, we react and often, we repost.
“We just sort of assume it’s true, and then we have to wait and see if something makes us question it… But often, we don’t take that step.” Chock said.
Real People, Real Struggles
College students, who spend hours a day online, say the flood of information can be overwhelming.
Two people are scrolling through social media on their phones. © 2024 Rosie Rapisarda
“Most of my news comes from, like, social media, like Instagram, kind of TikTok… but a lot of stuff on TikTok, I can’t believe,” said Juliette Ferreira, an SU sophomore studying business analytics and accounting.
Even when students try to fact-check, it can be only surface-level.
“I look it up on Google to see if, like, it’s true… But I don’t really look too deep into it, depending on how interesting it is,” Ferreira said.
Sophia Rosenbaum, an SU sophomore marketing major, shared the same concern.
“People believe anything, and like me included. It’s just crazy what people fall for,” Rosenbaum said.
Tools to Spot the Truth
So, how can everyday users protect themselves from being misled?
1. Pause before sharing.
“If you see something that looks too good to be true, take a beat. Then pause, and then maybe check it out. Is it shared anywhere else?” Chock said.
2. Check the source.
Look at who is posting the information. Are they credible? Do they have a history of accuracy?
“It just depends on who the information is coming from. I think that’s where I kinda decide if I wanna trust it. Are they trustworthy? Are they credible? Do they have a track record of having true, pure information?” Racine said.
3. Break out of your filter bubble.
Social media feeds are personalized. They reflect your past clicks, likes and shares. That means you might only see perspectives you already agree with.
“The problem is, it’s all within that bubble. Just because you say something over and over again doesn’t make it true,” Chock said.
4. Use fact-checking tools.
Websites like Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org can help you verify information quickly. Even a quick Google search can signal whether a story is legit or not.
5. Speak up.
Don’t be afraid to correct or report misinformation when you see it.
“I feel like you should tell people when something is false or when something is true, especially on big platforms that everybody uses,” Ferreira said.
“I’m gonna research everything now, like every time I see something, I’m gonna look it up,” she added.
Package Transcription
Rosie Rapisarda— According to Pew Research, more than half of Americans say they get at least some of their news from social media.
Juliette Ferreira — “Most of my news comes from, like, social media, like Instagram, kind of TikTok… but a lot of stuff on TikTok, I can’t believe.”
Rapisarda— And she’s not alone. Experts say what we see online is often designed to grab our attention, not just to tell the truth.
Makana Chock — “Most commonly, you see things that are angry, consistent with your own beliefs and you share it. Sometimes, it is something positive or really nice, but it’s usually something very emotion getting.”
Rapisarda— That’s how misinformation and disinformation spread. Even when it’s not true, if it sounds right or feels right, we’re more likely to believe it.
Sophia Rosenbaum — “People believe anything. Me included, but like some things are like, it’s just like crazy what people fall for.”
Rapisarda— Here’s an example of a fake news post that showed up on Facebook. It claims that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen donated five million dollars to build housing for low-income families. At first glance, it seems heartwarming and believable. But if you look closely, the photos on the left are AI-generated. In the comments, the user even links to what looks like a news article to back it up. But when you click the link, it takes you to a fake website. And when you search online, there’s no mention of this story from any credible source. Still, if you scroll through the comments, most people believe it, and many are sharing it. This is exactly how misinformation spreads: it looks real, it feels good, and people don’t always pause to check. So, how can everyday users protect themselves from being misled? Well, first, before sharing anything, pause and take a good look at the post.
Chock — “If you see something that looks too good to be true, take a beat. Then pause, and then maybe check it out. Is it shared anywhere else?”
Rapisarda— You should also always check the source. Ask yourself, who posted it?
Kay Racine — “Just depends who the information is coming from. I think that’s where I kinda decide if I wanna trust it. Are they someone that’s trustworthy? Are they credible? Do they have a track record of having true, pure information?”
Rapisarda — And most importantly, use fact-checking tools. Sites like Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org are great resources. Even a quick Google search can help you figure out what’s real and what’s not. Rosie Rapisarda. NCC News.