On the Internet and social networks, false information is circulating. And, sometimes, they even come from important people! Donald Trump, candidate for the American presidential election, is renowned for broadcasting them regularly! 1jour1question explains to you why this false information is a problem.
Why is false information a problem?
First, because they are lies. Their aim is to deceive those who believe them, and often to harm someone.
But then, why do some people say false information?
For lots of reasons. Look around you… Maybe there is even false information in your school or college. When a student starts rumors about another in order to make fun of him. These rumors are false information!
Those who believe them are deceived. And above all, it hurts the student concerned, because he is the victim of harassment. You see, false information can have serious consequences.
And when they are proclaimed by someone influential, they can be dangerous, because many people believe them. This false information is then also called fake news. Political figures can even lie to encourage people to vote for them. For example, Donald Trump, an American politician, is known for spreading fake newsespecially on the Internet.
People who believe this false information do not realize that they are being manipulated, and that they no longer really think for themselves. This is why, in schools, teachers teach their students to ask the right questions to spot false information.
Nathalie Michel
