The Real versus The Fake: Dealing with Online Deceptions

In a world where there is so much talk about girl power and telling the real from the fake it is interesting (and rather frightening) for me to see how much pressure our children, particularly girls, are subjected to and experience. From fake boobs, fake butts, fake lashes, fake nails, fake hair, skin bleaching to fake designer products (watches, shoes, clothing) and fake people, fake friends to fake profiles, fake identities, fake everything.

There is greater concern in the online world where there is fake news, fake information, fake “facts”. As adults we have the option, but not always the sense, to check if something is true before:

(1) accepting it as truth,

(2) sharing it or re-distributing it, and

(3) alerting others to become aware of the authenticity of information shared or received.

For children and young adults it is even more worrisome and a cause for concern because they are so trusting, so gullible and so easily influenced because they lack the experience, foresight or even critical skills that adults have developed over a long time. This is not disregarding the fact that most adults are quite lost when it comes to differentiating the real from the fake in cyberspace.

On February 22, 2017 Stephanie Busari reminded me of the need to always check, re-check and check again before sharing information. She shared Channel 4 News’ video “Stopping fake news” posted on February 17, 2017 on Facebook. This video shows the public how to fact check fake news sites. Here are the tips that were shared by Channel 4:

1. Take a good look at the website. It mimics a real news site-but the ULR is wrong. Some sites admit their stories are made up! Are all the articles anonymous? Can you find out the site’s owners and contact them? If not-can you trust the journalism?

2. Check the sources. If there’s a shocking quote from a public figure check the exact phrase in a search engine. You can search by date and within specific websites. If the words weren’t reported at the time they could simply be invented.

3. Check the images. Hoaxers sometimes use real images but lie about where and when they were taken. Use Google Images to find out more about the photo.

While these fact finding expeditions are very important and highly recommended, a lot of us still take everything that we see online as FACT and as TRUTH! As Founder of #DigitalAgeConversations, in my country I have found that during my interactions with children and young people, there is a very strong reliance on and high regard of, (by persons in the age range 7-25 years) “Dr. Google”, “Google University”, “Google Everything”. Each time I ask them what their main source of information is they quickly respond as a matter of course... GOOGLE!

The parents and educators are concerned about how easily and quickly the young people turn to Google for information and have no interest whatsoever in verifying or cross-checking the information that they access online. This concern is elevated by the indiscriminate and unlimited sharing of information using social media and other online platforms by people of all ages and from across all walks of life. Even “reputable” and established news sites and public figures have been known to distribute and share information that was either untrue, without real substance and ultimately which resulted in untold damage to other people’s reputations and businesses.

It is more important than ever to ensure that you check for the facts particularly before sharing information, images or videos that are potentially harmful to others. In some countries, there are criminal penalties for such cyber crimes that affect a business, another person’s reputation or put another’s life at risk or in danger.

As women of faith and purpose we have a deeper duty to verify online facts lest we become guilty of spreading falsehoods. Let us hold on to that which is truthful and avoid being rumour mongers and distributors of damaging and often devastating news. Having the luxury of being able to merely forward juicy and often unverified news might just end up being the one thing that keeps us from not only receiving the blessings awaiting us but it could also lead to some far reaching and undesirable consequences that could be harmful to our friends, families and colleagues.

Be safe. Be responsible.