Misinformation is false or information that is shared as if it were . It can appear in social posts , videos , websites , news stories , or even messages from friends and family . Sometimes people share by accident because they believe it is true . Other times , false information is created on purpose to people . Misinformation can quickly online , especially when a post is surprising , scary , or makes people .
It is important to think carefully before believing or something you see online . Look at where the information came from and ask whether the source is . Check the date , read more than just the , and look for that supports the claim . You can also see whether other reliable sources are reporting the same information . Pictures and are not always proof that something happened . Images can be edited , videos can be taken out of , and information can be presented in ways that are .
Artificial intelligence , or , has made it even easier to create realistic - looking , videos , voices , and written content . AI can be a useful tool , but it can also be used to create false or information . This makes it especially important to pause , check the , and look for evidence before you or share something . If you are not sure whether something is , it is okay to say , " I don ? t know yet , " and learn more before making a .