‘To Save Money, Maybe You Should Skip Breakfast’ WSJ Headline
A screenshot of a purported Wall Street Journal headline went viral for its mention of skipping breakfast “to save money.”
engagement bait
‘First Article Of Impeachment Laid Out Against Joe Biden,’ February 2022 Headline
A bait-and-switch headline about a “first article of impeachment … against Joe Biden” rendered one way when shared on social platforms, and another for the few who clicked before sharing.
Is Dawn Hand Soap or Dish Soap?
Facebook’s promoted Reels included a video claiming that Dawn dish soap is actually hand soap, a “big if true” claim apparently circulated to promote a multi-level marketing scam.
‘Squirrel Teeth’ Fashion Trend
Creative looks on Instagram and Facebook are often reframed as a novel “fashion trend,” regardless of how plausible “squirrel teeth” might be.
Pierce Brosnan: ‘She Is in My Eyes the Most Beautiful Woman in the World …’
Treacly, engagement-baiting glurge about Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith spread virally on Facebook, despite being unsourced and deeply insulting.
Do National Son’s Day and National Daughter’s Day Even Exist?
On September 27 2021, Facebook user Owen Youngman posted about “National Son’s Day” and “National Daughter’s Day,” two purported “National Days” prompting significant social media engagement. Youngman’s post encompassed two distinct topics we have addressed in recent fact checks: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT cut and pasted from a professional colleague who advises large companies on digital …
Do National Son’s Day and National Daughter’s Day Even Exist? Read More »
Facebook Data Mining Posts
Actor Wil Wheaton and others shared warnings about Facebook data mining, and why seemingly innocuous questions might be more sinister.
‘Biden And Harris Served With Impeachment Charge’
Disinformation sites used “charge” and “impeachment” in highly misleading ways.
Golliwog Facebook Post
A Facebook post featuring a racist caricature and claims of being “banned” has over half a million shares – demonstrating weaknesses in censorship discourse and Facebook’s “Community Standards.”
No, Mr. Potato Head Is Not Gender Neutral Now
Hasbro’s announcement of an expansion to the Mr. Potato Head family of toys led to predictable outrage about “wokeness” on social media.