Introduction
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to spot false or misleading information online — and why it matters. Some stories are fake by mistake. Others are shared on purpose to cause confusion or fear. We’ll help you understand the difference, give you real-life examples, and show you how to protect yourself and others from being misled.
Meet Teresa – and a Tricky News Story
Meet Teresa – and a Tricky News Story de Karla Goncalves
Transcript
Teresa is 61. She loves reading the news on her phone each morning and shares posts with her family. One day, she sees a headline: “Eating Bananas Cures Memory Loss!”
It sounds exciting — and she almost sends it to her sister — but something feels off.
Was it a mistake? A joke? Or a lie?
In this lesson, Teresa learns about misinformation, disinformation, and malformation — and how to tell them apart.
Understanding the Terms of False Information
Understanding the Terms of False Information de Karla Goncalves
Transcript
What’s the difference between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation?
- Misinformation is false, but shared by mistake.
- Disinformation is false — and shared on purpose to mislead.
- Malinformation is real, but used to hurt or trick someone (like sharing private messages online).
What Kind of Fake Is It?
Instructions:
Here are three short examples. Read them, then drag the correct label: misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation.
Get a feedback – click here!FeedbackWell done! You’ve just learned how to spot the intent behind fake content.
That’s the first step to staying safe online.
Reflection – Have You Seen Fake News?
Have You Seen Fake News?
Have you or someone you know ever shared a story that turned out to be false? What made it seem believable at first?
Quick Quiz – Test Your Fake News Radar
Summary
Well done! In this lesson, you learned the difference between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
You explored why fake news spreads so quickly and how to pause, think, and check before sharing content.
Remember
- Not everything online is true
- Sometimes people mean well — and still share false info
- You have the power to ask questions, look deeper, and help others do the same
Keep going — you’re doing great!
