Combating Disinformation POWER OF YOUTH

Among fellow youths, how do you [resolve/correct/ battle] disinformation in daily interactions?

When we encounter something we don’t know while listening to or communicating with someone, we sometimes just rely on the credibility of the person speaking; little do we know that we may actually be turning into victims of false information. It might be tempting to just assume the source or the speaker is reliable, but I think having your own will to research and know more of the information being fed to you is something that we, the youth, should practice on a daily basis.

In this age of the Internet and high-speed connectivity, it is only by equipping one’s mind with facts that we can spot disinformation, act upon it, and transmit reliable information. Every single piece of information is moving fast in the digital world and fact-checkers need every second to get ahead of those who spread false news.

Don’t be scared to stand up or correct somebody if you know they are in the wrong - or in this case, spreading disinformation and misinformation. I believe that the youth of today are capable of resolving disinformation since they have the digital knowledge and skills.

You can battle disinformation only if you can differentiate the real news from the fake, if you know which are facts and which are opinions. In this day and age, the answers are only a click away. And also, battle disinformation with kindness, patience, and love. In a world full of hate and war, I think people would listen to a softer and kinder voice.