Detecting tricks of context

Grades: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12+

People who create disinformation designed to go viral on social media have an array of tools and tactics at their disposal. Simple tricks of context are one of the most common, mostly because they are effective and relatively easy to produce.

Watch out for these four common tricks of context:

  1. False context: Presenting genuine media in an entirely new, false context.
    • Example: A years-old photo being presented as if it were taken during a recent event.
  2. Misrepresentation: Presenting accurate facts or genuine visuals in a misleading fashion.
    • Example: An accurate statistic presented in a way that alters the meaning of a larger trend.
  3. Stolen satire: Presenting satirical content as if it were accurate information from a reliable source.
    • Example: A satirical article or meme shared without a disclaimer labeling it as satire.
  4. Selective edits: Removing essential context from a piece of media to create a false understanding of an issue or event.
    • Example: A misleading shortened clip that creates an inaccurate perception of something a person said.

This infographic also includes a list of tips to debunk tricks of context and avoid being fooled.


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