Education for Misinformation

Bad News is a game that aims to gain as many followers as possible by being “bad” on Twitter. In this context, “bad” means impersonating and spreading fake information throughout the platform. The game has goals and milestones illustrating the techniques used by accounts and people to gain followers and incite alarm online. After taking a crash course in how to be bad, I learned how to impersonate, evoke emotion, create polarization, push conspiracies, discredit reliable sources, and troll anyone I disagree with. Bad News was difficult to learn since it required me to channel viewpoints I am unfamiliar with online. While effective, the most valuable information came at the end when all six techniques were defined and explained straightforwardly. Twitter played a significant role during this game, as it was the leading platform used, but I was concerned about reporting rules and regulations. While users can report others for false information, it usually takes an incredible amount of time for this to happen. Twitter has combated this with “community notes,” which I continue to bring up in this class because it is a great tool!

Harmony Square requires players to act as Chief Disinformation Officer trying to spread fake news through viral posts, provocative language, and bots to create havoc in an ordinarily levelheaded community. Users discover the tactics used to divide and mislead people when playing the game. After completing all four levels, users should better understand and be able to spot manipulative content. This tool was effective in giving examples of standard techniques such as application. After playing the Bad News, I better understood what I was supposed to be trying to accomplish. What shocked me about this game was the option to manipulate photos! Seeing a manipulated photo changes how I view the source, especially if it is trying to pass as legitimate. According to the Global Investigation Journalism Network, photo manipulation is one of the best and “easiest” ways to fake news, but it is the easiest to prove wrong, as explored in the game.

Fake It Till You Make It explores clickbait, emotional triggers, and making money in a simulator game. Ultimately, the player steals content from others and sensationalizes the information on their site. This game focuses on how fake news and outrage make money. When emotions run high, engagement increases as the audience clicks and shares, generating revenue for website owners. What interested me about this simulation was the prep work of creating a suitable website that draws audiences in. The website should look credible and approachable on the fringe level. Throughout this game, I had to set up multiple websites to learn how to use it. What proved most difficult was making a domain name and picking interesting articles with enough drama to attract likes, shares, and views.

These educational tools were intriguing to play with. They helped me understand the mindset and process of someone who spreads fake news. Unfortunately, these activities will not eradicate misinformation. There will always be a group of people who believe what they believe. Even when faced with proof, there are instances when people refuse to acknowledge the facts and continue to spread what they feel is correct. However, these tools could help people with difficulty figuring out what is fake.