Kim LaCapria

Kim LaCapria is a New York-based Content Manager, fact checker, and folklore enthusiast. She began debunking viral urban legends full-time in 2009, and in 2014 became the first editorial employee of Snopes.com, authoring thousands of political and viral fact checks. For several years, she worked to modernize the site and broaden its profile and scope. Those efforts came to fruition in 2016, leading to acclaim and global acknowledgement of the necessity for fact-checking and its role in slowing mis-and-disinformation on social media. Kim joined TruthOrFiction.com in December 2018. After work, she enjoys air hockey, water parks, jjimjilbangs, and internet culture.

family_separation_genocide

Is Family Separation Genocide?

In February 2019, a mid-2018 tweet about family separations and the permanent and widespread transfer of children from their families to other people qualifying as genocide began recirculating. The tweet was initially published in June 2018, and it said: Stealing someone’s child and then giving them to someone else permanently is not “adoption”. It is …

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heinz_ketchup_UK_US

Heinz Ketchup Ingredients, U.S. vs UK

On February 14 2019, Vani Hari (popularly known as the “Food Babe” in the media) shared a graphic that compared the purported difference between Heinz Ketchup’s ingredient list in the United Kingdom versus the United States: The image featured two bottles of Heinz Tomato Ketchup side by side, the wider and brighter bottle labeled “U.S. …

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meridy_leeper_suicide_videos

Violent, Disturbing Messages in Childrens’ Videos?

On February 12 2019, Facebook user Meridy Leeper shared an image purportedly of a drawing by her young child and the following message about suicidal ideation in small children apparently prompted by videos beneath parental radar on YouTube, TikTok, Roblox, and Fortnite — among other platforms: This is an exceptionally hard thing for me to post. I’ve thought …

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Can Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil Defeat Head Lice?

A December 2016 post on the Facebook page “Mummies & Daddies” circulates in perpetuity, continuing to spread misinformation about the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar (sometimes shortened to the initials ACV) and coconut oil as a treatment for head lice infestations in children: Underneath a photograph of a woman nit combing a child, text states: …

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wutang_GZA_harvard_scientist

Has Wu-Tang’s GZA Lectured on Quantum Physics at Harvard?

In February 2019, a #BlackHistoryMonth post on Facebook asserted that the Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA (also known as The Genius) is a scientist, has lectured at Harvard, and is educated in quantum physics: Above two photographs of GZA, text stated: People you didn’t know were scientists: GZA of Wutang Clan is educated in quantum physics & …

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churchill_socialism_philosophy_failure

Did Winston Churchill Say Socialism is the Philosophy of Failure?

On February 8 2019, a Facebook user shared the following meme, featuring images of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez above a purported quote from British wartime leader Winston Churchill: Underneath two identical images of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, it featured a photograph of Churchill and a quote: CHURCHILL ON SOCIALISM: “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of …

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wisconsin_under_21_drinking

Are People of All Ages Allowed to Drink in Wisconsin?

On February 12 2019, the Facebook page “Did You Know” shared the following meme, claiming that people of all ages in the state of Wisconsin — including children — can legally consume alcohol: Against a black background, its text stated: did you know? TM In Wisconsin, children of all ages are legally allowed to drink alcohol in …

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