Living in the Age of Lies—Why Disinformation Threatens Us All
By Balphina Wolfe
I used to believe that spotting lies online was simple. If a story looked exaggerated or suspicious, I would scroll past it and move on. But I learned the hard way that disinformation is not always easy to detect. A few years ago, I shared a political story that seemed urgent and convincing. Later, I discovered it was false. The embarrassment was bad enough, but what really troubled me was the thought that I had unknowingly contributed to spreading a lie.
That moment changed how I look at the internet. Disinformation isn’t just random nonsense; it is carefully designed to mislead, confuse, and divide people. It feeds on our emotions—anger, fear, excitement—and it spreads faster than truth because it is often more dramatic and attention-grabbing. Social media platforms reward sensational content, and disinformation thrives in that environment.
The effects go far beyond the screen. I’ve seen families argue bitterly over fake stories. I’ve watched communities distrust one another because of false rumors. Even public health has suffered: during the COVID-19 pandemic, countless lives were put at risk because people believed and shared dangerous myths about vaccines and treatments.
Some argue that the solution is simple: individuals should fact-check before sharing. While that’s true to an extent, I think it’s unfair to place all the blame on ordinary people. The truth is, disinformation is not an accident—it is a weapon. It is manufactured by groups or individuals who profit from confusion, whether for money, political power, or influence. These actors understand how to manipulate algorithms and human psychology, and they use that knowledge without shame.
For me, disinformation is not just an abstract concept—it feels personal. It has made me more cautious, sometimes even suspicious of legitimate news. I no longer take headlines at face value. I cross-check sources, I pause before sharing, and I question stories that seem too perfect or too outrageous to be true. This constant skepticism is exhausting, but it feels necessary in today’s world.
Still, I don’t think this battle can be won by individuals alone. Tech companies must take stronger responsibility for the lies that spread on their platforms. Governments, too, need to act—but without using the fight against disinformation as an excuse to silence critics. Most importantly, schools and communities must teach media literacy, so people can recognize manipulation before it takes hold.
Disinformation is not just about fake stories—it’s about trust. If we can’t trust the information around us, we can’t make informed decisions, whether in elections, public health, or even everyday conversations. And if we lose trust in one another, society itself begins to crumble.
That’s why, for me, the fight against disinformation is more than political—it is personal, urgent, and necessary. Because in an age where lies spread faster than truth, choosing to slow down, verify, and think critically is not just an act of caution. It is an act of resistance.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 17th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
