How to Spot Misinformation and Deepfakes: A Practical Critical Thinking Guide

A video pops up in your feed showing a famous person saying something outrageous. A screenshot claims a new law will ban something you love. A photo shows a disaster that looks shocking and very real. Your stomach drops, your thumb hovers over the share button, and for a split second you almost send it to everyone you know.

Then you pause. Is this even real?

That pause is one of the most important thinking skills you can build today. With AI tools that can create realistic images, voices and videos in seconds, and social feeds that reward whatever gets the strongest reaction, it's harder than ever to tell what's true. You don't need to become a professional fact-checker. A few simple habits can protect you, and the people you care about, from being fooled.

Misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes: what's the difference?

• Misinformation: false or misleading information shared without the intent to deceive. Your aunt sharing a fake health tip she believes is true.
• Disinformation: false information shared deliberately to deceive, often for political, financial or other reasons.
• Malinformation: real information shared out of context to cause harm.
• Deepfakes: realistic fake images, video or audio created or altered with AI, often making it look or sound like someone said or did something they didn't.

Why false information spreads so fast

It's designed to grab you

False stories are often more surprising, emotional or outrageous than the truth. A large 2018 study published in Science analyzed millions of tweets and found that false news spread farther, faster and more broadly than true news, and that people, not bots, were largely responsible for spreading it.

Emotions override thinking

When something makes you angry, scared or delighted, you're more likely to share it without checking. That's exactly why many false stories are built to provoke strong emotions.

It confirms what we already believe

We're more likely to believe and share information that fits our existing views. Psychologists call this confirmation bias.

Algorithms reward engagement

Social platforms often show you more of what gets clicks, comments and shares, which can include sensational or misleading content.

AI makes fakes easy

Tools that create realistic text, images, voices and video have made it cheaper and faster to produce convincing fakes.

The SIFT method: four quick moves

Digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield developed a simple method called SIFT, now widely taught in schools and libraries:

S: Stop

Before you react or share, pause. Ask yourself: Do I know this source? How does this make me feel? Strong emotions are a cue to slow down.

I: Investigate the source

Who's behind this? Search for the website, account or organization. Is it a known news outlet, an expert, a satire site or an anonymous account created last week?

F: Find better coverage

Search for the claim elsewhere. Are reputable news outlets or fact-checking sites reporting it? If a huge story is only appearing in one place, be suspicious.

T: Trace claims, quotes and media to the original context

Find where the image, video or quote first appeared. Is it from a different event, time or place? Was it edited or taken out of context?

Lateral reading: how professional fact-checkers do it

Researchers at Stanford found that professional fact-checkers don't just read a suspicious website closely. Instead, they quickly open new tabs and search for what other sources say about the website or claim. This is called lateral reading, reading across sources rather than staying on one page. It's faster and more reliable than judging a site by how professional it looks.

How to spot fake images

• Check for odd details. AI-generated images sometimes have strange hands, mismatched earrings, garbled text, warped backgrounds or impossible shadows, though the tools are getting better quickly.
• Do a reverse image search. Upload or paste the image into a reverse image search tool to see where else it has appeared and whether it's old or from a different event.
• Look for the source. Who first posted it? Is there a credible photographer or news outlet behind it?
• Check for labels. Some platforms label AI-generated content, and some images carry content credentials showing how they were made.

How to spot deepfake videos and audio

• Watch for unnatural movement, like odd blinking, stiff facial expressions or lips that don't quite match the words.
• Listen for strange audio, like robotic tones, odd pauses or a voice that doesn't match the person's usual style.
• Notice lighting and edges. Look for blurring around the face or hair, or lighting that doesn't match the background.
• Consider whether it's plausible. Would this person really say this, in this setting?
• Check official channels. Has the person or their organization confirmed or denied it?

A key point: as AI improves, visual clues alone become less reliable. Checking the source and context is more important than ever.

Voice cloning scams

Scammers can now clone voices from short audio clips found online. A common scam involves a call that sounds like a family member in trouble asking for money urgently. Protect yourself by:

• Agreeing on a family code word to confirm identity in emergencies
• Hanging up and calling back on a number you know
• Being wary of urgent requests for money, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency

Warning signs of misinformation

Be extra cautious when you see:

• Headlines in ALL CAPS or with lots of exclamation points
• Claims that "the media won't tell you this"
• No author, date or sources
• Websites with odd names that mimic real news outlets
• Screenshots of text with no link to the original
• Stories that make you extremely angry or afraid
• Claims that sound too good, or too bad, to be true
• Health "cures" that promise miracle results

Health misinformation

Health misinformation can be especially harmful. Before trusting a health claim:

• Check reputable sources like government health agencies, major medical organizations and peer-reviewed research
• Be wary of anyone selling a product alongside the claim
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
• Remember that one study rarely proves anything on its own

Our article on home remedies that work is an example of sorting evidence from hype.

How to talk to friends and family who share misinformation

It's tempting to fire back with "That's fake!" but that often makes people defensive. Try:

• Start with empathy. "I can see why that worried you."
• Ask questions. "Where did you see that? I couldn't find it anywhere else."
• Share sources gently. "I found this from [reliable source], which says something different."
• Do it privately rather than correcting someone publicly.
• Focus on the relationship. You may not change their mind in one conversation, and that's okay.

Our guides to active listening and I-statements can help these conversations go better.

Build your critical thinking habits

• Diversify your sources, including outlets with different perspectives
• Follow fact-checking organizations
• Read beyond headlines before sharing
• Notice your emotions when consuming news
• Be willing to say "I was wrong" when you share something false
• Limit doomscrolling. Our guide to news anxiety and doomscrolling has tips.

Teaching kids to think critically online

Children and teens spend a lot of time online. Help them build good habits by asking questions together, like "Who made this?" and "How could we check?" Show them how to do a reverse image search, talk about why some content is designed to make people angry, and praise them when they question something they see.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if news is fake?

Check the source, look for coverage from reputable outlets, trace images and quotes to their original context and be cautious with content designed to provoke strong emotions.

What is the SIFT method?

SIFT stands for Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage and Trace claims to the original context. It's a quick method for evaluating online information.

How do I spot a deepfake?

Look for unnatural facial movements, mismatched audio, odd lighting and blurry edges, but most importantly check the source and whether reputable outlets or the person have confirmed it.

Why does misinformation spread so quickly?

False information is often surprising and emotional, which makes people more likely to share it. Algorithms that reward engagement can amplify it further.

What should I do if I shared something false?

Delete it if you can, and post a correction or let people know. Everyone makes mistakes, and correcting them helps.

Sharp thinking is part of intellectual wellness. Take our free wellness wheel quiz to see how all eight dimensions are doing.