Facebook and others create ways to flag fake news
Essential Question - Why is fake news dangerous?
- During the last three months of the presidential campaign, fake or false news headlines generated more engagement on Facebook than true ones.
- In response, Facebook launched several new tools to flag and dispute what it calls the “worst of the worst” when it comes to fake news.
- Now, Facebook users can flag fake news stories they see being shared on the platform and will receive a notification before sharing a story found to contain false information.
- Facebook will also adjust its algorithm so that stories believed to be fake will be seen by less people, decreasing their chance of going viral.
- Slate has also developed a web browser extension that flags fake news stories and provides a link to a reputable source debunking the false information.
Visit PBS NewsHour Extra for more education resources designed to help teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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Fake news damages our community by undermining trust and making the world less informed. There are a few things that may be done to lessen the spread of propaganda and fake news on social media, particularly on Facebook. This can be a complicated problem. People should be taught how to spot propaganda and fake news by looking for biases, double-checking the source, and cross-referencing the information with other sources.