How are consumers identifying fake news?
Social media has evolved into one of the primary sources of information for billions of people worldwide, fundamentally transforming how news is consumed and shared. However, this shift has also created a fertile breeding ground for the rapid spread of fake news and misinformation. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has further complicated the landscape, enabling the creation of highly realistic fake images, videos, and celebrity profiles that are increasingly difficult for the average user to distinguish from authentic content. In this challenging environment, users are developing new habits and strategies to protect themselves from deception. Observations indicate that one of the most prominent red flags triggering user suspicion is the nature of the content itself—specifically, information presented with sensational headlines, shocking wording, or deliberately crafted to provoke curiosity and attract clicks. These characteristics often betray the underlying intent of the content creator, which is frequently to generate engagement and ad revenue rather than to inform the public. One user shared their experience on Facebook, noting that they frequently encounter fake news generated with AI, such as fabricated images designed to scam elderly people or impersonate celebrities. This highlights the growing prevalence of AI-crafted scams that prey on vulnerable populations, making the ability to critically evaluate online content a crucial life skill.
Beyond the initial impact of a sensational headline, users are becoming more adept at recognizing other warning signs embedded within the content itself. Information that is vague, lacks a clear source, or has an unspecified purpose is increasingly seen as a major indicator of potential falsehood. Users often describe such content as being ambiguous in its message and failing to clearly state its intent, instead relying on sensationalism to capture attention. This shift in user behavior indicates a move away from passive consumption toward a more active, analytical approach. Rather than immediately believing or sharing information that aligns with their worldview or piques their interest, many individuals are consciously pausing to verify its authenticity. This deliberate act of slowing down is a critical component of digital literacy in the modern age. Many users report a personal policy of pausing for a few seconds before sharing anything, using that time to mentally assess the plausibility and source of the information. This practice of mindful consumption is often coupled with a methodical verification process. A commonly employed strategy is cross-referencing the suspicious content with established, official sources. Users are increasingly turning to official news websites or verified news outlets on social media platforms to check whether a story is being reported by credible journalistic organizations. In a digital ecosystem overflowing with unverified claims and manipulated content, this proactive approach to verification has become an essential skill for navigating the information landscape. Users also believe that regularly reading official news sources helps them build a stronger foundation for identifying misinformation and developing critical thinking skills over time.
In Vietnam, the urgency of this issue is underscored by stark statistics. According to the Digital 2026 Vietnam report from DataReportal, in collaboration with technology companies Meltwater and We Are Social, the internet penetration rate has reached 84.2% of the population, while social media penetration stands at 77.6%. These figures illustrate that the digital environment in Vietnam is developing at a remarkable pace, bringing unprecedented connectivity and access to information. However, this rapid expansion also means that the potential for harm caused by fake news is magnified. As the sheer volume of accessible information grows, improving one’s ability to verify facts, knowing how to select reliable sources, and resisting the urge to share unverified information becomes more important than ever. The digital space offers every individual the opportunity to speak, share, and connect on a scale previously unimaginable. Yet, this immense power comes with a correspondingly significant responsibility for every piece of information received and disseminated. The deceptively simple share button allows unverified or false information to reach thousands, or even millions, of people in an instant, with cascading consequences. To address this challenge and enhance the public’s ability to identify and verify information, a growing number of communication and educational initiatives are being implemented across various forms. These range from training programs aimed at students to detailed content in newspapers and on television that warns about scams and provides practical guidance on identifying fake news. These efforts are crucial in fostering a more discerning and resilient public, capable of withstanding the barrage of digital misinformation.
Experts in the field emphasize the critical need for a shift in public mindset. Dr. Nguyen Dong Anh, Acting Head of the Department of Communication and Foreign Culture at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, stressed that for public groups who spend significant time on social media, it is essential to develop a mindset for verifying information. He praised recent news reports that help the public identify not only positive information but also harmful information, and even content that contains partial truths but is used for malicious purposes, stating that this knowledge is crucial. This perspective highlights the sophisticated nature of modern misinformation, which often weaves a thread of truth into an otherwise deceptive narrative. Ms. Nguyen Thi Khanh Van, a Standing Member of the Leadership Council of the Digital Trust Alliance, pointed out the long-term societal benefits of these efforts. She stated that preventing the spread of fake news and misinformation will help children develop critical thinking, learn to select information, and avoid being misled by content that incites or manipulates emotions. In the long run, this will also contribute to building a more civilized, safe, and trustworthy online environment. When vigilance becomes a habitual practice for everyone, misinformation will have less opportunity to propagate. A healthy digital environment will then be one where every read and every share is accompanied by a conscious act of verification and a sense of personal responsibility.
Media campaigns have emerged as a powerful tool in this fight, aiming to raise awareness and provide tangible skills to combat fake news. A prime example is the “Truth or Falsehood Verification” program, a collaboration between Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department of the Ministry of Public Security. This program has quickly become a trusted platform for viewers by going beyond simply warning about sophisticated scams; it also equips the audience with practical information verification skills. As a result of such programming, a new habit is gradually spreading throughout the community: the act of slowing down to protect oneself, and the principle of verifying first before believing. This new habit is being adopted across different segments of society. For instance, Ms. Le Thi Hong Ngoai, the head of a neighborhood group in Hanoi, uses lessons learned from the program to protect her community. She actively summarizes each report about scams and sends them to her group’s chat to remind everyone, particularly the elderly, to stay vigilant. She shared that the program has provided her with useful lessons and knowledge to identify and avoid fraudulent activities, and she now proactively avoids suspicious calls and never provides personal information to unknown callers. The program’s concise and clear news updates have helped senior citizens raise their awareness, transforming caution into a practical shield against the complexities of daily digital information.
Beyond the individual and community level, the Vietnamese government has taken decisive action to establish a comprehensive legal framework to combat fake news. A newly issued decree, Decree No. 328/2026/ND-CP, regulates the prevention and combating of fake news and misinformation. Effective from October 5, 2026, the decree outlines a detailed process for handling such content, including classification, detection, verification, labeling, publishing warnings, prevention, removal, and the application of sanctions. The decree categorizes fake news into two main groups based on the degree of harm. The first category encompasses fake news that causes or has the potential to cause particularly serious consequences, such as negatively impacting national security, defense, foreign relations, and public order on a large scale; damaging the reputation of the Party and State; harming the honor of high-ranking leaders; or inciting riots and creating deep public anxiety. The second category includes harmful misinformation that has a more limited impact but directly infringes upon the reputation, honor, dignity, and legitimate rights of specific agencies, organizations, or individuals. By providing a clear legal definition and a structured process for enforcement, this decree represents a significant step toward building a more regulated and accountable digital space. Ultimately, the goal of these combined efforts—from individual vigilance and media literacy to governmental regulation—is not just to combat falsehoods, but to protect what is good. Verification is not about doubting everything but about spreading the truth widely and placing trust wisely, thereby strengthening the fabric of society with a robust and reliable information ecosystem.