Dealing with misinformation
Misinformation can increase during certain times, such as elections and health crises, as people seek to understand and react to rapidly unfolding situations. More recently, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise and has become a sneaky accomplice to mis-, dis-, and mal-information, promoting their viral spread online. Dealing with misinformation involves two key actions:
- learning how to assess and verify what you see
- knowing how to respond when someone else shares something false or misleading.
Tip
Techniques like lateral reading (checking other trusted sources) can take a little extra time, but they are powerful tools for uncovering the truth. While it can be tricky to talk to others about misinformation, especially if they strongly believe it, learning how to respond calmly and respectfully can make a real difference.
Recognise your own bias
It’s important to recognise your own bias, because misinformation and disinformation frequently use emotionally charged language (whether in text or image) to elicit a response – and this means appealing to stereotypes and prejudices.
This is especially important for sources online, which are often driven by algorithms - powered by AI constantly analysing your behaviour to figure out what to show you next - with the intent to increase traffic and engagement. While this can be helpful in some cases, it can also lead to a “filter bubble” where you’re only exposed to information that confirms your pre-existing beliefs. This can make it harder to recognise when something is false or misleading.
Remember that information can be used for similar reasons across all forms of media – whether in print, broadcast, etc.
Your Task
Test your biases to help see whether you're susceptible to misinformation.
Select one of the Implicit Association Tests (IAT) to measure your attitudes and beliefs on a topic.
Tip
Check your feelings. Does something you've read, seen or heard annoy or anger you? If so, you might need to take a closer look and determine why.
Different perspectives and misinformation
Everyone has their own perspectives and confirmation biases. We all use beliefs and values to judge the credibility of information. We’re more likely to judge information as trustworthy when it supports not challenges those beliefs and values.
Click on the plus (+) icons below to dicover examples of why people would have different perspectives to others.
Note
Critical thinking and digital literacy can help you look beyond your first impressions and question how your own assumptions might be shaping what you believe. For further information check out the report Online Misinformation in Australia.
Dealing with bias
Dealing with bias is essential in the fight against misinformation because bias doesn’t just shape what we believe it influences what we share and accept from others.
Many rumours and misleading claims thrive because they tap into existing stereotypes and prejudices, reinforcing what feels familiar or socially acceptable. We often go along with these narratives because we want to fit in, avoid conflict, or make sense of complex issues using simple explanations. Sometimes the information comes from people we trust, or it echoes beliefs we already hold, making it harder to question. But recognising this pattern is the first step.
Working on your bias means actively questioning your assumptions, being open to different perspectives, and reflecting on how your background, experiences and social environment shape your understanding. It’s a continual process of awareness and unlearning, one that helps you make more informed, ethical decisions about what information you believe and share.
Conversations with others who believe misinformation
When talking with someone who believes or spreads misinformation, it’s important to recognise that speaking up matters. Misinformation spreads easily when it goes unchallenged, and respectful, thoughtful conversations can play a powerful role in reducing its impact.
While these discussions can be uncomfortable, they also create opportunities for reflection, learning, and even change especially when approached with empathy and understanding. People often believe or share misinformation not out of malice, but because they’re trying to make sense of complex issues or genuinely think they’re helping. Recognising this intent can shift the focus from “winning” the argument to building trust and connection.
Here are a few steps you can take in a conversation:
Stay calm and open
Keep your tone respectful and avoid reacting emotionally, even if the topic feels frustrating.
Listen first
Try to understand their perspective. What concerns do they have? Why does this topic matter to them?
Find common ground
Shared values or experiences can help build connection and make your message more relatable.
Gently share reliable information
Offer evidence from trustworthy sources and suggest exploring it together.
Encourage critical thinking
Ask questions like “Who benefits from this being shared?” or “How do we know this is true?”
Know when to pause
If the conversation becomes tense or unproductive, it’s okay to step away and return to it later.
Alert
What if someone is deliberately spreading misinformation or knowingly sharing false information to influence others or cause harm?
If the behaviour continues or becomes harmful such as spreading health-related lies, hate speech, or inciting fear then it’s appropriate to report it through the relevant platform or authority. Even if the person doesn’t change their mind, your response can signal to others that truth matters and help stop the spread.
Strategies and tools for dealing with misinformation
Now that you have started to develop critical thinking around evaluating information, here are some tools that can assist in the investigation of specific resource types, to see if they contain misinformation.
Lateral reading and cross-checking information is more important than ever, with the increasing use of AI driven technologies and their ability to pollute the information sphere.
Remember and reflect
Key takeaway
Recognising your own bias or perception of something not only helps you identify misinformation, but how you respond to it – and how you might manage discussions about misinformation with others.
Consider
There are several strategies that can be used when dealing with misinformation, and many tools to help you.
In the short term, continued application of cross-referencing sources and lateral reading is useful to verify dubious information. Long-term strategies such as advocacy, and the further development of media literacy skills, will be vital for countering misinformation.