📍 Where you are in the curriculum: Week 2 of 12

Last week, you learned about your digital footprint — the trail of data you leave online. This week, we flip the script: instead of thinking about what YOU put out there, let's focus on what's coming AT you — and whether you should trust it.

---

Not Everything Online Is True 🤥

Here's something that might surprise you: anyone can put anything on the internet. There's no magic truth filter that checks everything before it gets posted.

That means the internet is full of:

• ✅ True, helpful information
• ⚠️ Mistakes and misunderstandings
• ❌ Intentional lies and scams
• 🤷 Opinions disguised as facts

Real Examples of Fake Stuff Online

🌳 The Tree Octopus

A website called "zapatopi.net" has a very official-looking page about the "Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus" — a made-up animal. It has photos, a conservation status, and everything. It was used in a study where most students believed it was real because the website looked professional.

📸 Fake Viral Photos

After every big storm or natural disaster, fake photos go viral — like sharks swimming in flooded streets. These are almost always Photoshopped from older images.

🎮 Fake Gaming News

People share fake screenshots of "leaked" game updates, free item codes, or made-up release dates to get clicks, followers, or to spread confusion.

Why Do People Create Fake Information?

1. Money 💰 — Fake stories get clicks, and clicks make advertising money
2. Attention 👀 — Wild stories get shared more than boring true ones
3. Manipulation 🎭 — Some people want to change what you think or believe
4. Humor/Trolling 😈 — Some people think it's funny to trick others
5. Mistakes 🤦 — Sometimes people genuinely think false info is true and share it

As the News Literacy Project ↗ teaches, learning to tell fact from fiction is one of the most important skills you can build. The good news? You can learn to spot fake information like a pro! 🕵️