Rise of fake news and how you can avoid misinformation trap

Most fake news is harmless but, in many instances, it can form basis of making key personal, political or economic decisions that ultimately harm us or society. [iStockphoto]

Three weeks ago, three girls were stabbed to death and eight others injured in Britain's seaside town of Southport. Since the attacker was below 18, the police did not immediately disclose his identity.

The ensuing information gap was filled by internet fake news sources which "disclosed" the attacker as a Muslim immigrant. Within 24 hours, the fake story had received more than 30 million impressions on social media.