Hey everyone! Happy Thursday! 🎉 

It’s editorial day, and I’m Ellie Hodges, Broxtown’s Youth Correspondent. I’m diving into a topic that’s always buzzing but rarely tackled from a teenager’s POV—misinformation.

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This is your newsletter, made by residents, for residents. Thanks for joining the fam—now let’s dive in! 🙌✨

Editorial

What is Misinformation?

Imagine this: someone has been telling everyone that a McDonald's is going to replace the bank that closed down in Hoddesdon. They’ve been saying this for weeks, and before long, people start to believe it. The thing is, those who believed the story didn’t stop to check if it was true or just made up. This is what misinformation is all about—someone spreads a piece of info, and over time, it gets twisted or misheard until it becomes completely false.

You’ve probably heard the term "fake news" before, and that’s essentially the same thing as misinformation. It’s when false information is presented as the truth, tricking people into believing a false narrative. Misinformation might seem like a small issue, but it affects us every day. Our opinions are shaped by the "information" we see, and even facts can be twisted to push a certain point of view.

How Misinformation Spreads

Misinformation can happen anywhere, from worldwide news stories to something in your own neighbourhood. A good example is when a post claiming two teenagers had gone missing started circulating on Facebook. It got people worried, and many shared the post, thinking they were doing a good deed. But later, the teenagers’ parents confirmed it was all false—they were at home, safe and sound.

This shows how easily misinformation spreads, especially on social media. People shared it without double-checking the facts, which is a great reminder to always question the source of what you see online.

Who’s Most Affected by Misinformation?

Misinformation affects everyone, but young people—especially those who get most of their news from social media—are more likely to fall victim to it. Social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are popular for news, and while they can get young people involved in important issues, they also make it easier for false information to spread. Statistics show that around three-quarters of teens use YouTube daily, and 58% use TikTok just as often.

While these platforms help keep people informed, their algorithms (the programs that show you what they think you’ll like) often reinforce your existing views. That means, if you’re constantly shown content that agrees with what you already believe, you might end up in a “bubble,” (echo chamber)where only one side of the story is presented. The scary part is that after seeing the same thing repeatedly, even if you didn’t believe it at first, your mind might start to trust it.

So, if you’re scrolling through TikTok, and you see someone presenting their opinion as fact, be cautious. Opinions are fine, but they shouldn’t be mistaken for truth.

How to Avoid Falling for Misinformation

The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself from misinformation. It can be tough to avoid completely—especially with the endless scrolling on social media—but there are simple steps you can take to be more informed.

Ask Questions, Always

One of the most important things you can do is ask questions about where your news is coming from. Who’s behind the information? Is it a reliable source? If an article makes a bold claim, ask yourself, “Who does this benefit?” This doesn’t mean you should distrust everything you read, but it helps to be more skeptical about what you’re seeing.

The same goes for social media. If you see something on Twitter or Instagram that doesn’t seem right, ask: “Who is posting this?” “Where are they getting their info from?” And, importantly, “Do I trust this source?” You can usually find more information about the person or organization in their profile—so take a quick look.

Read Beyond the Headline

We’ve all been guilty of just reading the headline and thinking we know the whole story. But headlines are designed to grab your attention, and they don’t always tell the full story. In fact, studies show that 70-80% of people only read the headline!

So, when you see something that makes you react—whether it’s outrage, shock, or even joy—take a few minutes to read the full article. You’ll be surprised at how often the details reveal a different story than what the headline suggested.

Get Your News from Multiple Sources

If you only get your news from one place, you’re more likely to fall for misinformation. Different media outlets can spin the same story in completely different ways, especially depending on their political or ideological views.

By checking multiple sources, you can get a broader perspective and come to your own conclusions.

Use Fact-Checkers

Fact-checking websites like Full Fact are great tools to double-check information. They don’t just tell you if something is true or false—they explain why and how it’s being interpreted in different ways.

Just remember, different sources might tell the same story in different ways without necessarily being “fake” or “false”—it’s about knowing where the gaps might be and why the information is being framed in that way.

Why It Matters

Misinformation is everywhere—it’s on social media, in the news, and even in casual conversations. But with a little effort, you can avoid falling for it. By questioning what you see, reading beyond the headlines, getting info from multiple sources, and fact-checking, you can be more confident in what you believe. So next time you come across something that seems off, take a moment to dig a little deeper before sharing or reacting. It’s a small step that can make a big difference!

Use the button below to send your comments and any feedback to me as it’s my first Editorial as Broxtown’s Youth Correspondent. Much appreciated.

Thursday Weather

13°C 🌡️ 5°C | 🌧️ Heavy rain intervals and a moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 07:50 Sunset 15:51

Broxtown referral program

While sharing Broxtown with your friends is a huge favour to us, we want to make sure your efforts don’t go unnoticed. To show our appreciation, we have some special rewards lined up for those who go above and beyond in helping us grow! 🏆🌟

• Get 3 friends or family to sign up and we will give you a birthday shout out.

• Get 5 folks to join and we will give you and your best mate a birthday shout out

• Get 15 and we’ll pay for your dinner with a friend at a secret restaurant in the Borough.

• Get 100 and I’ll give you a free Broxtown branded hoodie (£65 value).

• And if you somehow get 1,000 I will buy you a Spa Weekend for you and your best friend anywhere in Hertfordshire.