What Is Fake News?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how sometimes someone might tell you something that isn't true, like 'there's a monster in the closet'? Fake news is like that, but for grown-ups. It's a made-up story that someone puts on the internet and pretends is real.

You know how your favorite storybook has make-believe stories? Fake news is a make-believe story too, but the problem is that the person who wrote it wants you to think it's real. They don't tell you it's pretend, and that's not nice.

Some people share fake news because they don't know it's fake. They see something on their phone, think it's true, and show it to their friends. That's why it's always a good idea to check with a grown-up about what's really true.

The good news is that you can learn to be a truth detective! Always ask questions like 'Who told you that?' and 'How do they know?' Those questions help you figure out what's real and what's made up.

Ages 6-8 More Detail

Fake news is when someone makes up a story and pretends it's real news. It might look like something you'd see on a real news website, with a headline and a picture and everything, but the information in it is made up or twisted to fool people.

People create fake news for different reasons. Sometimes they do it to make money, because shocking headlines get lots of clicks, and clicks mean more ad money. Other times, they do it to make people angry or scared about something, or to make someone look bad on purpose.

Fake news spreads fast because people share things online without checking if they're true first. If you see a crazy headline like 'Scientists Discover Chocolate Is Healthier Than Vegetables,' you might want to share it because it's exciting. But if you don't check if it's real first, you're helping the fake story spread.

One way to spot fake news is to check where the story comes from. Is it from a news source you've heard of, or from a website with a weird name you've never seen? Another trick is to see if other news sites are reporting the same story. If only one place is saying it, it might not be true.

If you're not sure whether something is real or fake, ask a parent, teacher, or librarian. They can help you figure out the truth. Being a good fact-checker is like being a detective. You look for clues before you believe what someone tells you.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

Fake news refers to false or misleading stories that are presented as though they are legitimate journalism. These stories are designed to look convincing, often using professional-looking websites, dramatic headlines, and real-seeming photos. The goal is to get you to believe something that isn't true.

There are several reasons why people create fake news. Some do it for money, because outrageous headlines get more clicks, and more clicks mean more advertising dollars. Others create it to push a particular viewpoint, make a political figure look good or bad, or stir up anger and division among people. Some fake news is even created by organized groups trying to influence how people in other countries think.

Social media has made fake news a much bigger problem than it used to be. In the past, news went through editors and fact-checkers before it was published. Now, anyone can post anything online, and if it's dramatic enough, it can be shared thousands of times in hours. By the time someone points out it's false, millions of people may have already seen it.

Here's how to spot fake news: First, check the source. Is it a well-known news organization or a random website? Second, read beyond the headline, because sometimes the headline is misleading even when the article tells a different story. Third, check if other reliable sources are reporting the same thing. Fourth, look at the date. Sometimes old stories get reshared as if they're new. Fifth, watch for emotional language designed to make you angry or scared rather than inform you.

Photos and videos can be fake too. Images can be edited, taken out of context, or even created entirely by AI. Just because you see a picture doesn't mean it's real or that it shows what someone says it shows. Reverse image searches can help you find out where a photo actually came from.

Being a smart reader of news is one of the most important skills you can develop. Don't just believe everything you see online. Ask questions, check facts, and be willing to change your mind when you find out something you believed was wrong. That's not weakness; that's being smart.