How To Talk To Friends And Family About Fake News
Information spreads fast, and misinformation can move just as quickly.
While you might know the telltale signs regarding fake news, it can be hard to protect our family and friends.
It’s important to know how to talk about false news and deepfakes with our loved ones to help protect them. When approaching friends or family who’ve shared or believe in misinformation, you can use following strategies:
1. Verify Before Engaging
Before talking about a piece of false information, make sure that it is false. Use fact-checking websites like Snopes or FactCheck.org to confirm. A quick way to tell if a piece of Government information is false in the Cayman Islands is to check our Fake News Alerts page.
You can find a useful checklist here:
Your loved ones might feel uncomfortable if you talk to them before you’ve checked if a piece of news or article is fake. It could lead to an argument.
2. Choose the Right Setting
Fake news can be controversial and your family member or friend might truly believe it. Choose a private place to talk about this so they don’t feel embarrassed or cornered. While we’ve all certainly believed inaccurate information before, it can feel uncomfortable to discover something you believe is not true. In a private place, you can make space an open and caring conversation.
3. Listen Actively
Instead of only talking, listen to your loved ones’ thoughts and opinions. Try to understand their point of view by asking open-ended questions before talking about the accuracy of the information. Starting a conversation this way can show respect and reveal the reasons behind their beliefs, helping them feel heard.
4. Lead with Empathy
Statements like, “I understand why this is concerning to you,” can make your family member or friend feel heard.
5. Provide Credible Sources
Start by sharing an example of accurate information from a trusted source. Explain why the sources you show them are reliable, emphasising elements to watch out for in any piece of information like credibility, purpose, and so on.
6. Avoid Shaming
When bringing up false information, be kind. Shaming or ridiculing can shut down a conversation. Remember how it feels to learn something is fake or made up and that this is a person you love. Focus on the information and why it might be inaccurate.
7. Encourage Critical Thinking
People often better accept information when they feel they have made the decision to trust it. Encourage an active and critical look at what they have shared. Discuss the importance of questioning news or information when they see it. Encourage them to ask questions like:
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Who is the source?
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What’s the purpose of this information?
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How can I verify its accuracy?
8. Be Patient
Changing beliefs takes time; your loved one might not change their mind instantly. Be prepared for ongoing conversations on this topic. Be patient and understand that immediate change is unlikely. Make it clear to your family member or loved one that you’re always happy to talk more, answer questions and question information together. Being a safe person for your friend or relative means, they are more likely to come to you when they think they see fake news.
How to Approach Fake Information with Your Child
If your children are active online, they’ve probably already seen fake news, but you can still give them the ability to spot misinformation and stop it from spreading.
Fact-check news together
If your child has been misled by false news, they might feel embarrassed. Talk with them about what led them to believe it was true, and then show them how it could be untrue and how you would normally check. When looking at content or news together, ask out loud questions you might normally just think (For example, Who wrote that? What was their angle?) to show them how you think through content. Pointing out examples of AI deepfakes (video and audio) can also help them recognise false content in the future.
Help them fix their mistakes
If your child has shared misinformation, encourage them to correct the mistake. They could make a follow-up post (if on social media) or just message their friends to clarify that what they shared was inaccurate or AI.
More Approaches to Consider
Encourage Ongoing Conversations
Addressing misinformation isn’t a one-time event. Beliefs, especially deeply held ones, are often emotional and hard to shift. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open and revisit discussions as needed. Regular, respectful conversations can help promote critical thinking.
You could set aside time for these kinds of discussions during regular catch-ups or family gatherings. This can help make the conversation around misinformation feel normal and approachable, making it a shared responsibility.
Promote Media Literacy
Media literary just means a habit of inquiry, or asking questions, that is content-neutral and not driven by emotion. This is a way to combat misinformation because it encourages your friends and family to question the information they encounter.
By discussing the importance of evaluating sources, checking for biases, and understanding the context of the information, you’re helping create a lifelong habit of curiosity.
The Role of Official Sources
In the Cayman Islands, the government provides verified updates through official channels. Encourage your friends and family to rely on these sources for accurate government information.
The Cayman Islands Government's Official accounts include:
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Radio Cayman at 89.9-92.9 FM
Other resources
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International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN): A global network that promotes best practices in fact-checking.
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News Literacy Project: An American nonprofit that provides resources to help individuals discern credible information and recognise misinformation.
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RAND’s Countering Truth Decay Initiative: Offers tools and research to combat the
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diminishing role of facts and analysis in public life.
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Google Fact Check Tools: Provides resources to search for fact checks and assess the credibility of information.
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Project evolve: This aims to change the online safety messages that children and young people are being taught into something more appropriate, more meaningful, that encourages reflection
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Find the fake!: This fun, interactive quiz provides a way for families to improve, discuss and test their knowledge of fake news.
Help to Share the Truth
Sharing false information—knowingly or unknowingly—only fuels confusion. If a claim seems suspicious, take a moment to verify before hitting share. Misinformation thrives on engagement, but truth matters more.
