Spotting an internet hoax

What is a hoax?

Hoaxes are nothing new, but digital technology, social media and the high-speed news cycle have combined to make the spread of misinformation faster and broader.

Hoaxes are generally started by those who are after viral content. They try to create excitement or panic using fake content to help them spread it quickly.

How to spot a hoax

Hoaxes started on the internet might include:

• fabricated news stories that make a child feel worried or scared, known as fake news.
• viral messages on WhatsApp and Messenger. If you or your child know the person who's shared it, you might be more likely to believe it.
• deep fakes. Videos and photos where people’s faces are edited to make it look like they said or did something they didn’t.
• memes used to spread unverified facts.

Learn more at the UK's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children article about fake news, hoaxes and misinformation.

Find out how artificial intelligence drives misinformation at the Cyber Safety Project's How young people are interacting with AI.

Viral challenges

Rumours of dangerous new viral challenges can surface in schools and their communities. These rumours are often baseless.

Parents and teachers should be aware of the possibility that a news item involving children performing a harmful stunt could be a hoax.

Check the facts

Hoaxes, by their nature, are difficult to identify. They often rely on parents’ protective instincts when it comes to their children, and we need to think critically and responsibly to identify and manage them.

If you come across some odd information on social media or other platforms, before sharing it ask yourself:

• What do I not know about this?
• Who benefits if I share this now?

If you can't answer these questions to your satisfaction, do your own research. Choose a reliable news site like abc.net.au or a fact-checking site like Snopes for evidence.

Respond calmly

Hoaxes thrive when they're spread quickly and without consideration.

Parents and teachers who hear about an online hoax should:

• avoid immediately asking your child or students about it. That way you'll avoid unintentionally spreading false claims
• wait until you have all the facts. Your school or police department may issue a warning that a hoax is circulating
• discuss it in a calm, non-judgmental manner if young people ask about it.

Young people who are worried about a potential hoax should speak to a parent, carer or teacher.