How many times a day do you scroll past something online and feel your instincts kick in — that quiet voice that says, “Yeah… that can’t be right”? Most Canadians are dealing with this nonstop. It feels like swimming through a tide of fake news, half-truths, and emotional bait designed to pull you under. But once you learn how these tactics work, you start seeing through them faster than they expect.

Not all false information works the same way. Misinformation is when someone spreads something untrue without realizing it. It’s your aunt sharing a miracle cure because she genuinely thinks she’s helping. Disinformation is intentional. It’s crafted to mislead you for political gain, financial profit, or simply chaos. And yes, it’s happening here too — not just “somewhere else.”

Surveys show that most Canadians are concerned about misinformation online, and nearly half say it’s getting harder to know what’s real. This isn’t just about messy Facebook debates. It affects public health, trust in our institutions, and even how people feel about participating in democracy. Confusion isn’t accidental — it’s the point.

Once you know the playbook, the tricks get easier to recognize. Here are the most significant signs that something deserves a second glance.

Before you finish the first sentence, ask: “Who is telling me this?” Is it a real publication, or a suspicious website hiding behind anonymity? If they can’t be transparent about who they are, they don’t deserve your trust.

This is where our own minds can fool us. If a post lines up precisely with your worldview, be careful. Disinformation campaigns deliberately target beliefs people already hold because it lowers their guard. When something seems tailor-made for your opinions, look closer.

Some posts use a tiny sliver of truth to sell a much bigger lie. They might use a real photo but rip it away from context, or rely on vague claims like “everyone knows” or “sources say.” A quick reverse-image search or scan of legitimate reporting can expose the cracks instantly.

ALL CAPS, endless exclamation marks, dramatic language — these are all signs the headline is trying to get shared rather than read. If the headline feels more explosive than the story itself, that’s not journalism. That’s bait.

Canada has solid fact-checking organizations that investigate viral claims, including AFP Fact Check and Radio-Canada’s Les Décrypteurs. When something feels off, chances are someone has already looked into it.

Fighting misinformation isn’t about “winning arguments.” It’s about protecting clear thinking, restoring trust, and keeping our conversations grounded in reality. The more people who learn these red flags, the harder it becomes for bad actors to manipulate the public.

If you found this helpful, consider sharing it. And let me know in the comments: what’s the strangest or most ridiculous piece of misinformation you’ve run into recently?