How to spot a fake social media post
Here is how to recognise red flags such as missing contact information, disabled comments, and suspicious requests to "bump" or share posts.
Social media is a powerful tool for communication, allowing information to spread rapidly across platforms.
However, this speed and reach can also be a breeding ground for misinformation and fake posts.
Posts of missing children, elderly people, and pets have recently gone viral in Pretoria’s social media community groups.
Here is how to identify these deceptive posts to avoid spreading false information and to focus on genuine situations that require attention.
Before you share, check this list:
- Is it reporting a missing child, found pet, or elderly person?
Posts that claim to report a missing child found pet or elderly person often evoke strong emotional responses, making people more likely to share without verifying the information. These posts are common targets for fake information designed to manipulate emotions and go viral.
- Did it originate from an Event Page, Marketplace, or Unknown Agency?
Be wary of posts that originate from less credible sources, such as event pages, marketplace listings, or unknown agencies. Legitimate alerts typically come from official organisations or verified accounts. FactCheck.org urges social media users to always check the source before engaging with or sharing the post.
- Is there missing contact information?
Authentic posts will usually include clear contact details for follow-up or additional information. If a post lacks contact information or provides vague details, it may be a sign that it’s not legitimate.
- Are the comments turned off?
Posts with disabled comments are suspicious because they prevent people from asking questions or pointing out inconsistencies. This tactic is often used to avoid scrutiny and keep the fake post circulating.
- Does it have a hashtag with the name of a City or State?
While hashtags are shared on social media, be cautious if the post uses a generic city or state name without specific details. This can be a tactic to broaden the reach of the fake post by making it seem relevant to a larger audience.
- Does it say, ‘Please bump or share the post’?
According to a post by the New York Times, posts that explicitly ask you to bump or share to increase visibility are often trying to exploit your goodwill. While it might seem like a harmless request, sharing without verification only helps spread potentially false information.
- Does it say to ‘Flood our feeds to help find the family’?
Urging users to “flood feeds” with the post is a common strategy used by those who create fake content. This phrase is designed to push the post to as many people as possible, overwhelming social media feeds with fake stories.
The post is likely fake if you answered yes to any of these questions. Avoid sharing it and help stop the spread of misinformation.
Also read: Do not wait 24 hours to report a missing person
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
