How to prevent conspiracy theories from spreading
Habits backed by misinformation research. The first four are the SIFT method.
- 1. StopNotice a strong emotion (anger, fear, 'they don't want you to know') before you share. Pause first.
- 2. Investigate the sourceWho is making the claim, what's their expertise, and what do they gain if you believe it?
- 3. Find better coverageRead laterally: open new tabs and see what independent outlets and fact-checkers say.
- 4. Trace claims to the originFind the original study, video or document. Check dates and whether quotes are cut.
- 5. Ask what would change your mindReal theories can be tested. If every piece of counter-evidence 'proves' the cover-up, it can't be.
- 6. Count the peopleBig secret plots need thousands of people to stay silent for years. That rarely happens.
- 7. Talk, don't mockWith friends or family, ask questions, listen, share your own sources calmly. Shame backfires.
- 8. PrebunkLearn the common tricks (cherry-picking, fake experts, false dilemmas) so you spot them early.
By topic
Health
- Check claims with the WHO, CDC, NHS or your national health agency.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist before changing treatment.
- Look for systematic reviews (e.g. Cochrane), not single studies.
Science and technology
- Look for peer-reviewed consensus, not one dissenting expert.
- Check science explainers from NASA, national academies or university departments.
UFO
- Check official reports (e.g. the U.S. AARO public reports).
- Most sightings have mundane explanations: satellites, balloons, drones, camera artifacts.
Aviation incidents
- Read the official accident investigation report (NTSB, BEA, AAIB, ICAO).
- Early reports are often wrong; wait for the final report.
Death
- Rely on coroner, court and official investigation records.
- Be wary of 'hidden clue' videos and anniversary-timed rumors.
False flag
- Wait for verified reporting from multiple independent outlets.
- Watch for 'crisis actor' claims, which have harmed real victims' families.
Genocide denial
- Consult historians and archives (e.g. USHMM, Yad Vashem, UN tribunals).
- Denial is often illegal or harmful; report hateful content on platforms.
Pseudolaw
- Ask a licensed lawyer or legal aid office before acting on 'secret law' claims.
- Courts consistently reject sovereign-citizen arguments, often with penalties.
Race and ethnicity
- Notice when a claim blames a whole group for a secret plot. That's a classic sign of hate propaganda.
- Check resources from the ADL, SPLC or national equality bodies.
- Report hateful content on the platform where you saw it.
Religion
- Notice when a claim blames a whole group for a secret plot. That's a classic sign of hate propaganda.
- Check resources from the ADL, SPLC or national equality bodies.
- Report hateful content on the platform where you saw it.
Israel
- Notice when a claim blames a whole group for a secret plot. That's a classic sign of hate propaganda.
- Check resources from the ADL, SPLC or national equality bodies.
- Report hateful content on the platform where you saw it.
Nazi
- Notice when a claim blames a whole group for a secret plot. That's a classic sign of hate propaganda.
- Check resources from the ADL, SPLC or national equality bodies.
- Report hateful content on the platform where you saw it.
Sexuality and gender
- Notice when a claim blames a whole group for a secret plot. That's a classic sign of hate propaganda.
- Check resources from the ADL, SPLC or national equality bodies.
- Report hateful content on the platform where you saw it.
Practice spotting the tricks
- Bad News: a free game that "prebunks" misinformation tactics (University of Cambridge).
- Inoculation research on why prebunking works.
- SIFT: The Four Moves by Mike Caulfield.