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So, you saw some false info?

Whether the bad info you saw was a misunderstanding, an exaggeration, or even an outright lie, how you respond makes a difference.

Be part of the solution. Say something!

Here are a few approaches you
can take based on the situation.

Question it?

If you’re not ready to correct or debunk bad information, question it. The idea is to nudge the sharer, and whoever else sees it, to really think about whether the content is accurate.

Ask Yourself

  • Illustration of a refuting speech bubble

    Ask yourself Do you want to avoid saying the person is wrong?

  • Illustration of a protest sign

    Ask yourself Is the topic something people feel strongly about, like politics?

  • Illustration of a character covering their ears

    Ask yourself Does the person have a history of arguing and ignoring others or facts?

  • Illustration of a heart

    Ask yourself Are people who see the post more likely to listen to the sharer than you?

Try Saying

  • Try saying “Are you sure that’s true?”

  • Try saying “Is that source reliable?”

  • Try saying “I think that might be a myth.”

Correct it?

Spot some bogus info? Just share accurate information from a trusted source that shows the truth. You don’t even have to mention the false info to correct it.

Ask Yourself

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    Ask yourself Will a lot of people see the post?

  • Illustration of a star burst

    Ask yourself Do you have accurate info that corrects the bad info?

  • Illustration of an official-looking document

    Ask yourself Do other people see you as an expert or authority?

Try Saying

  • Try saying “The Times issued a correction on that yesterday; the official social distancing guideline is still 2 metres.”

  • Try saying “Health Canada has studied cellphone radiation for years and set guidelines to make sure it stays under safe levels.”

  • Try saying “Stats Canada says the crime rate is a lot lower than it was 20 years ago.”

Debunk it?

You can take the power away from bad information by showing that it’s wrong and why. Hopefully, once you’ve debunked the bad info, onlookers will want to know the truth.

Ask Yourself

  • Illustration of a waving finger

    Ask yourself Are you okay with saying the person who posted it is wrong?

  • Illustration of a browser window and magnifying glass

    Ask yourself Can you clearly show that the info is false?

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    Ask yourself Did the person share it because it supports something they strongly believe in, even though they knew it might be false?

Try Saying

  • Try saying “I checked other sources and it turns out that picture is actually from after a rock concert, not a protest march.”

  • Try saying “I checked Snopes and they say that video is fake.”

  • Try saying “Fact-checkers have proven that the sign was Photoshopped.”

There’s no wrong answer! You may not convince the person who shared false info, but you can keep others from believing it.

Some final pointers?

  • Illustration of a smiling happy face

    Be nice.

  • Illustration of paper airplane

    Don’t want to respond publicly?
    Send a DM!

  • Illustration of a writing pencil

    Keep it short
    and simple.

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    Learn more about fact-checking
    BreakTheFake.ca