The Horrible Histories fake news song
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The Horrible Histories fake news song

Horrible Histories and Own It have teamed up to tell the story of fake news through the ages.

The internet can help you find answers to your questions, keep up with the latest trends and ace your school work. But there is so much stuff online that simply isn't true, given anyone can create a website or make content for social media. 

It can be tricky to tell facts from fake news and it’s absolutely normal to feel confused. But don’t worry, Own It and Horrible Histories have some great tips to help you find out if what you’re reading online is true or not.

Do your research

Don’t just stop at the first article or post you read but try to go a little bit deeper. You could search on the internet and see what others have written on the topic, or you can talk to your parents, carers or even your teachers to find out more.  BBC Newsround can help with reliable, clear information on the news.

Be suspicious

Don’t believe everything you read or see online. One of the best things about the internet is that anyone can have their say, but this also means that people who are not experts are able to share their opinions as if they're facts. So, check your sources, speak to an adult and ask yourself if the author might have a reason for posting what they do – they could be looking for fame, to make money or they might just be mistaken in what they believe to be true.

Think before you share

The fact that a post has a lot of likes and shares doesn’t mean it’s true. That’s why you should always be careful about what you share. From an innocent internet hack on how to make multicoloured candy popcorn to an influencer’s post claiming they’ve found the way to make thousands of pounds in just one click - you don't want to mislead people with what you share online, so think hard before hitting the share button.

Why don’t you try out this quiz and see how much you know about fake news?

And if you want to know more, check out this video about telling facts from rumours.

Safer Internet Day 2019
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