a virus. They are false news, based on non-existent facts

and data and circulated by unreliable sources, which

derive some kind of advantage or profit from their

dissemination. We must take the responsibility of

checking the news personally because there isn't an effective solution against disinformation.

I think that cyberbullying represents such a serious problem for our generation.

Cyberbullying is often more difficult to stop since it’s often hard to discover who is behind it. This type of bullying may be particularly damaging because it can have long-term effects. Cyberbullying doesn’t just hurt the person being bullied. Being a bully also comes with some serious long-term effects. Some are used to getting what they want; they don’t master important life skills such as working together with others or the ability to negotiate or compromise. As bullies grow up, they are more likely to abuse their partners and children.

       Firstly, what exactly a bully does- spreads lies or posts mortifying things about someone on socials, sends hurtful texts/posts/images or even threats. These things have remarkable consequences and, sadly caused to some poor teens even the end of their own lives, as they couldn't resist the shame anymore.

        Secondly, this certain type of bullying is online, so, the outcome is that any user can be part of or, a spectator of what another person is experiencing, but can be also confidential, between the target and the person bullying. Online harassment is nowadays a global issue, and many teenagers or even kids are dealing with it. Mentally, emotionally and even physically, the effects of cyberbullying are discernible and impossible to avoid. Feeling upset, ashamed, embarrassed or even tired, are emotions that resulted from this thing that some kids think is funny or someone will think they are smart enough to do such things. You may think being a bully is as easy as it seems. Well, based on studies, being a bully is a major result of some frustrations you have or acquired during your life, now trying to express them in making other lives worst. 

  In conclusion, if you have friends or you know people who are victims of cyberbullying, try to help them go through it. let's begin to be more empathic and emphasise with each other because if we don't change, nobody will. 

 

Social media has had a dramatic impact on the ways we interact with one another. Social media platforms have connected us to one another in new and impactful ways. Stories and opinions can gain exposure with unprecedented speed, giving individuals around the globe continuous access to a near-real-time conversation about both important and trivial matters.

With the increasing popularity ofa wide variety of internet-enabled devices and advanced mobile internet speeds, more and more people are getting involved with social media. 

Unfortunately, there is a dark side to social media: fake news. Misinformation can influence users, manipulating them for political or economic reasons. How can you spot fake news, and what can you do to combat it? This guide will provide a comprehensive view of the subject and give you the tools you’ll need to address this burgeoning issue.


What is fake news?

Often referred to as “fake news” in modern times, the term “misinformation” is defined as false or inaccurate information that may be distributed with the intent to deceive those who read it.

Information or opinions that you disagree with may not necessarily constitute misinformation. While the term “fake news” is often used as a pejorative in journalism today, this is a dishonest use of the term; indeed, the practice of calling fact-based reporting “fake news” based on the premise that it doesn’t align with your political views could arguably be called fake news itself.


How to Recognize Fake News and Misinformation

How can you recognize misinformation on social media? It often has a clear bias, and it may attempt to inspire anger or other strong feelings from the reader. Such content may come from a news source that is completely unfamiliar, and the news itself may be downright nonsensical. For example, if a news article warns readers of an impending “category six” hurricane looking to wipe out huge swaths of the country, it should be less of a cause for alarm and more of a cause for raised eyebrows; there is no such thing as a category six hurricane.

Once you’ve spotted a suspicious piece of content, look into the publisher and author of the content. Do either have an established reputation? Are they known as trustworthy sources? If not, do they cite their sources — and are those reputable?

Fake news often uses fake author names and bogus sources. If the site has a history of making suspicious claims, or details in the author bio don’t seem credible (or a bio is non-existent), you should treat the content with extreme scrutiny. Check out the site’s “About Us” page for information about the publication. You may notice suspicious details. Cross-reference these details with reputable news sources to determine the authenticity of their claims.

The “About Us” section of the site may even blatantly label itself as parody or satire. For example, one publication that is commonly misinterpreted as a legitimate news site, The Onion, blatantly states, “The Onion uses invented names in all of its stories, except in cases where public figures are being satirized. Any other use of real names is accidental and coincidental.” Obviously, articles from such sites are not intended to be interpreted as factual.

Finally, don’t forget to check the publication date of the content. A suspicious article may not be fake news; it might just contain dated information. To fact-check any claims made in such content, search for up-to-date news on the topic.

In addition to following the above considerations, there are many telltale signs of a fake news story to be on the lookout for:

Have you found an example of fake news online? Remember fake news is not content that you merely disagree with — it is fabricated information designed to manipulate others. If you are confident that the content fits this definition, be wary about sharing it with others. Sharing it so that you can comment on it isn’t helpful; while this gives you an opportunity to air your grievances, it also further propagates the content. Instead of spreading fake news, your goal should be to ignore and avoid it.

If you encounter fake news and misinformation while browsing your social media feeds, you can take action. If a trending post contains misinformation, you can “hide” it. If specific users repeatedly appear in your feed sharing misinformation or disinformation, block them. If you’ve previously “liked” or subscribed to a page that is churning out fake news, unfollow it. Pruning your feeds in this way can reduce your exposure to manipulative articles and accounts.

On social media, your options for shaping your news feed differs from platform to platform. Below, you’ll find links to explanations of the options you have on the four most prominent social media networks:

It’s vital that you take some time to learn the ins and outs of your news feeds. How can you shape your media diet? Making the effort to do so can dramatically improve your online experience and reduce the influence fake news may have on you.

Here’s what you can do:
Get someone to help you report it
Don’t forward or share it
Don’t take part in it
Leave the group or conversation
Say something kind or positive to the person being cyberbullied
If it’s safe, take a stand against it and ask the people bullying to stop
Let those bullying know that what they’re doing is NOT ok
Talk to the person being cyberbullied privately and ask if they’re ok and if they need help