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. …
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 …
Violent, Disturbing Messages in Childrens’ Videos? Read More »
On February 5 2019, a Facebook user shared a photograph and text claiming that homeless people could eat for free at Subway locations between 3 and 5 every afternoon: If you know any homeless please make them aware they can eat an drink free daily at subway from 3-5 Each subway is individually owned so …
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: …
Can Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil Defeat Head Lice? Read More »
On February 13 2019, a Facebook user shared a screenshot of a tweet, originally tweeted a day earlier by @HISTORY about a purported version of the Underground Railroad running south to Mexico: Text for the tweet read: Slaveholders knew that enslaved people were escaping to Mexico, and the U.S. tried to get Mexico to sign …
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 & …
Has Wu-Tang’s GZA Lectured on Quantum Physics at Harvard? Read More »
In October 2018 a Facebook user shared the following status update, alleging that the Red Cross was providing tents and food to a group of people moving through Mexico to the United States to request asylum at its southern border: Against a red background, white text stated: Pissed. THE RED CROSS is Distributing food and …
Is the Red Cross Assisting Migrant Caravans with Tents and Supplies? Read More »
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 …
Did Winston Churchill Say Socialism is the Philosophy of Failure? Read More »
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 …
Are People of All Ages Allowed to Drink in Wisconsin? Read More »
In early February 2019, a number of outlets began reporting on the “Peppa effect,” a purported trend causing American preschoolers who watched the show to speak in British accents. The claims were virtually guaranteed to achieve viral traction, probably owing to the number of parents across the United States whose young children watched the often …
Is ‘Peppa Pig’ Giving American Kids British Accents? Read More »
