AuthorAnya Hope RaynerBianca Roselyn WilsenElisa Lim HigashioElisabet Dansidan MaiponGabrielle Jill Exelle LeeJoceline GunawanLim Sim Hwee, JaniceTang RuixinEditorBangkit Adhi Wiguna

Technology has evolved greatly with the inventions of smartphones and social media. Social media is a platform that enables people to engage in conversations easily, eliminating the need for traditional methods like sending letters or messengers. Additionally, social media also helps the government share urgent information, news, and other relevant updates.

However, despite social media’s helpfulness in this era, it has also become a catalyst that causes problems in politics and international relations, science and education, and public health. These problems are mainly caused by misinformation and disinformation. According to the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (2023), misinformation is the sharing of misleading information on the internet without harmful intention.[1] In contrast, disinformation is the sharing of misleading information with harmful intent. But either way, false information is false information. If not handled properly, it could lead to infinite possibilities of destruction.

In politics, misinformation may unintentionally affect the views of the general public into thinking or believing something that is not necessarily true. Meanwhile, when disinformation is spread intentionally, there will be a negative effect on a large number of people, especially when it comes to politics. Both misinformation and disinformation can cause the public can lean into believing something false, which may result in negative impacts on important events like elections, considering elections are something not to be taken lightly. The ripple effect is real, and it affects almost everything.

In the science and education industry, it can be a struggle to distinguish between what is real and what is fake. This can cause many problems. Even the slightest misinformation or disinformation in science could have a major effect on important results and events, and could impact many people in a country, especially for growing children. Young children are more gullible towards false information. If they are taught false information, it could be a catalyst for more problems, as more children are affected by the teaching of false news.

With deadly viruses appearing and many other mutations, even the slightest error could cause damage to the healthcare industry and the overall well-being of people. This is further proven by the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world in 2019. At that time, COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation were widespread. It triggered numerous problems to arise, such as public panic, economic instability, etc. The misinformation and disinformation of news regarding the pandemic caused panic across nations, which resulted in situations that were perpetually dangerous to people.

The algorithm and wide reach of audience that social media and the internet have are one factor in the fast spreading of both misinformation and disinformation, even if it started as a small thing. Because when something is posted on the internet and social media, many people are guaranteed to view it, especially children or the elderly. Thus, those who are unable to distinguish between truth and false information are likely to fall for such news and spread it out of concern for their loved ones and the community; that’s human psychology. This could lead to false alarms and unnecessary outbreaks of panic.

Types of Misinformation and Disinformation:

1. Satire or Parody Created for humour or entertainment, not to harm — but it can still mislead people if taken seriously.
2. Misleading Content When true information is used deceptively, like using edited photos or selective quotes to support a certain argument. It looks real, but the context is twisted.
3. Manipulated Content Real photos or videos that have been changed or edited to deceive.

Identifying misinformation and disinformation on social media can be challenging, but there are effective strategies to help discern their presence. First, it’s essential to verify the credentials of sources, even when the information comes from friends or family. Research the author’s credibility online, and carefully examine the URL or email address for legitimacy. Look out for warning signs such as unprofessional visuals, poor spelling and grammar, and excessive use of capitalisation or exclamation points. Lastly, it’s crucial to read beyond the headlines, as they are often sensationalised to attract attention. Seeking information from sources outside of social media can provide a more accurate understanding of what is trustworthy.

In conclusion, misinformation and disinformation are among the greatest challenges of the digital age. They affect politics, economics, science, education, and public health, spreading quickly through social media and human behaviour. The main causes are algorithm-driven exposure that encourages people to share information without verification. Combating misinformation is not only about technology but also about awareness and responsibility. By working together to verify facts and communicate responsibly, society can create a safer, more informed digital world where truth is valued over manipulation.

Source:

1. NN (2023) Misinformation vs Disinformation: Understanding the Difference Online. Centre for Countering Digital Hate, 10 August. Available at: https://counterhate.com/blog/misinformation-vs-disinformation-understanding-the-difference-online/ (Accessed: 22 October 2025). ↑