By Maximos SORTIKOS (MAM-S4ELA)
Edited by Dalia Sophia WOLNY (MAM-S5DEA)
We live in a world where we can get almost any information with a few searches on our phones. Unfortunately, not everything we read or watch online is true. Fake news and AI deepfakes are two huge problems that make it very difficult to figure out what is real and what is not.
What are Fake News?
Fake news is information that is either false or misleading. It can be something exaggerated to get people’s attention or just a completely fabricated piece of information. Fake news spreads extremely quickly on social media and especially on websites that seem credible but are in truth totally fake. The goal of fake news is often to trick people, change their opinions, or create conflicts. A fake news story might, for example, claim something shocking with inaccurate details, like a new law being passed, just to make people disturbed or confused.
What are AI Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are a type of fake content created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). With deepfakes, computers can make videos or audio that look and sound real, even if they are not. Deepfakes can be funny and creative, like putting someone’s face in a movie scene. But they can also be extremely dangerous when used to spread lies or influence people’s opinions. Imagine a deepfake video showing a politician declaring something shocking just before an election. The consequences would be dramatic as people would believe it and vote for another political party.
Why is acknowledging fake news important?
Fake news and deepfakes can alter the way we view the world. They can spread false information about important topics like health, politics or the environment. If we believe everything we see or read online, we could end up making decisions based on lies. That’s why learning how to tell the difference between real and fake information is so important. For students, who spend a lot of time online, it’s especially relevant to know how to spot these hoaxes.
How Can We Fight Fake News and Deepfakes?
- Checking the source: After seeing a rather shocking story, checking the source is the first thing to do in order to decide how plausible the information is.
- Thinking before sharing: Being absolutely sure that the source is credible and the information you want to share is true is essential in avoiding further spreading of fake news.
- Spotting AI Deepfakes: Deepfake videos might contain weird glitches, such as unnatural movements. This is why watching carefully is vital.
Ultimately, fake news and deepfakes are major challenges in the modern digital age, but they aren’t insurmountable. Learning to think critically, to have a source verification process, and using tools to verify information are effective ways to protect ourselves. As high school students, we’re part of the generation that spends the most time online, so we play a big role in stopping the spread of fake news. If we can spot fake stories, question what we see, and share only what we know is true, we are helping transform the internet into a more honest and trustworthy source of information.