This resource focuses on disinformation, which is information that is deliberately created or shared to deceive and cause harm.

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is shared without the intent to deceive or cause harm.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) defines disinformation as information that is intentionally false or misleading spread with the intent to cause harm or achieve a broader aim. It is often spread online or on social media, but it can also appear on television, radio, or in the news, including newspapers.

Foreign states and their proxies may use disinformation as part of foreign interference to influence and mislead people and communities in harmful ways.

How disinformation can spread

Disinformation can spread in a range of ways, including:

• Messaging apps and community networks, where information is often forwarded between contacts that people trust.
• Content shared within community or interest groups, which people may trust more because it comes from familiar sources or is in a language they understand.
• Information from media or sources outside New Zealand that may not align with New Zealand media or contexts.
• Social media platforms can spread disinformation rapidly, especially short-form content such as TikTok videos, Instagram reels, or Twitter/X threads.
• Influencers and micro-influencers can spread disinformation because they have a large or trusted following.
• Search engines and recommendations on platforms may show disinformation to users, even when they don’t look for it.
• Offline sharing, such as printed flyers, posters, word of mouth in workplaces, schools, or communities.

Thinking about what you see

Check:

• Whether the information comes from a credible source and whether other trustworthy news sites report the same information. Check out Netsafe’s How to spot fake news resource to learn more.
• Where the original story or information appeared and who is promoting or sharing it.
• Who the author is and what their background, purpose, or interests might be (for example, whether they are trying to inform, persuade, promote a particular viewpoint, or influence people’s opinions).

Consider:

• Pausing when content triggers a strong emotional reaction (e.g., urgency, fear, or outrage).
• Asking why the content might have been created or shared (e.g., to influence opinions, generate clicks, or prompt action).
• Thinking about who benefits if the information is believed or shared.

For example, if you see a post saying ‘share this now before it gets taken down,’ this should make you stop and think about why it’s being shared.

What to do when you’re unsure

It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to know immediately whether something is disinformation.

Taking time before sharing information gives you a chance to think about whether it’s true, check the facts, and avoid spreading something inaccurate.

You can also talk with trusted people, such as family members or friends, to hear what they think about the information.

Disinformation used by foreign states and their proxies

Below are some characteristics deliberately used in disinformation by foreign states and their proxies:

• Provoke strong emotions while deliberately leaving out important facts or evidence to trigger anger, fear, or outrage.
• Present information in a misleading or exaggerated way to trigger a reaction or spread quickly.
• Use emotionally charged language to trigger reactions in readers rather than inform them.
• Show clear bias or rely on stereotypes to influence how people think about an issue or group.
• Exclude different perspectives or viewpoints to present only one side of a story.
• Include incorrect, manipulated, or outdated information presented as if it were accurate.
• Contain frequent spelling or grammar mistakes, which can sometimes indicate low credibility or content that was created very quickly.
• Use low-quality, edited, or out-of-context images or videos to support misleading information.

Take control of your social media feed

If a social media account is sharing false or misleading information:

• Block or unfollow the account to prevent more similar content from appearing.
• Report the account on the social media platform to help reduce harmful content online.

How to report disinformation

You can report harmful or false online content:

• Report disinformation and other harmful content on the Netsafe website.
• If media content is misleading or violates broadcasting rules, raise a complaint with the New Zealand Media Council or Advertising Standards Authority.
• Report disinformation on social media using platform reporting features.

Learn more on Netsafe

Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation, providing online safety support, expertise and education for people in New Zealand including: children and young people, parents and caregivers, adults and older people.

Headspace Invaders

Headspace Invaders is an interactive platform that helps young people aged 12 to 16 build confidence and critical thinking skills when navigating online content to help young people recognise manipulation, pressure, and harm online .