Rep. Matt Gaetz’s 2017 ‘Pace HS’ Tweet Resurfaces Amid Scandal
In March 2021, an Imgur user shared a 2017 tweet attributed to Rep. Matt Gaetz — pointing out that in light of current allegations, it had aged “poorly.”
human trafficking
‘FB Banned over 700 Pages Dedicated to Expose Pedophilia. That Should Scare the Absolute S*** Out of Everyone.’
Another viral child trafficking and abuse rumor in 2020 held that Facebook placed a ban on hundreds of page dedicated to exposing pedophilia.
Attempted Florida Pizza Shop Abduction: ‘Hold Tight to Your Babies. ???????? They Are Coming for Them’
A viral video of a purported attempted abduction fed into the 2020 child trafficking panic, but it was often spread without context.
Are People Trying to Make the Legal Age of Consent 4 Years Old?
A very popular Facebook post claims that unnamed “people” are trying to “make the legal age of consent four years old,” but they can’t buy alcohol or tobacco until they’re 21.
‘How is Finding 39 Missing Children in a Double Wide Trailer in Georgia NOT the Biggest News Story in America?’
As is often the case, a seemingly huge story is not the “biggest story” because it didn’t happen — at least not in the way it’s described.
Victoria’s Secret Bra ‘Tracking Devices’
Social media users have posted about purported radio frequency identification tags in Victoria’s Secret bras, rumors that were eventually and inevitably swept up into QAnon sex trafficking conspiracies.
Does a Facebook Live Reveal a Shocking Secret about ‘LOL Dolls’ Amid #SaveTheChildren Panic?
A Facebook Live user was very shocked that LOL Surprise! dolls change color in cold water (a major selling point described right in the name.)
Do 800,000 Children Go Missing Each Year in the United States?
Dubious and dated stats about missing children spread in August 2020, among them that 2,000 children go missing in the United States every day.
How COVID-19 Triggered a #SaveTheChildren Child Trafficking Panic
A surge of interest in child trafficking and the restricted #savethechildren hashtag isn’t organic — it was a subset of COVID-19 conspiracy theories in the summer of 2020.
Did Oprah Condone Child Abuse and Say ‘If It Feels Good’ that the Child ‘Won’t Even Know’ Abuse Happened?
A video of Oprah Winfrey apparently expressing support for child molestation is misleadingly edited.