Spot – and avoid sharing – fake news

Sharing misleading, false or sensationalist stories is naturally poor behaviour, but it’s easy to get sucked in by an outrageous headline. With all the panic over coronavirus, here’s how to steer clear. Read the full story. It sounds basic, but click-bait headlines are designed for irresistible sharing. Read the full piece and make sure it stacks up – especially if your initial reaction is emotional.

Check credentials. How much do you trust the person or publication? Where is their information coming from? When it comes to health news, we definitely haven’t had enough of the experts. Do the maths. You can’t argue with data, right? But numbers on their own don’t tell the full story. Look for context: what do they actually mean? Don’t let your biases lead you to jump to conclusions. Go to the source. If in doubt, go to the original source of information. Be sure to distinguish between fact and opinion, and remember that one person’s view is just that. The NHS and WHO should be your go-tos for official guidance.