This April Fool’s, don’t be fooled by misinformation

April 1^st, also known as April Fool’s day, is a fun day for many people those who enjoy pranks, jokes, fake announcements and other chatter that sparks a reaction from people. In these current times with technology, social media and digital information, it’s never been easier to make a “fool” out of someone else or even yourself.

Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information that is harmful to spread. So while April Fool’s Day is a reminder to be careful of harmless jokes and pranks, the City of Mississauga is using April Fool’s as a reminder to residents, to think twice about information they may receive about the City.

Here’s how you can avoid being fooled this April and beyond:

Get your information directly from the City

There are many ways to get the most up-to-date information on what’s happening in Mississauga. Come straight to the source and sign-up for our eNewsletter, subscribe to or follow our official social media channels and visit us in person at Civic Centre if you have a question you need help with.

Don’t believe everything you hear

In this day and age, people talk – both online and offline, in person. Whether it’s your social circle, social media comments from strangers, mass forwarding of viral content – how can you spot the truth? There are lots of videos and photos online that lack credibility, often times, sparking a negative reaction from residents. It is good practice to question the source of your information while also detecting bias. Conspiracy theories spread around quickly and people start believing harmful information.

Misinformation can increase during by-elections

On June 10^th, Mississauga residents will be voting in the upcoming by-election to select a Mayor and a Councillor for Ward 5. Pay attention to the news consumed by your family or yourself during the next few months, get your news from reliable news sources such as dedicated news websites, TV channels and verified social media accounts of news companies.

Watch out for clickbait

Does something online seem too good to be true or hard to believe? It may be clickbait. Clickbait is an internet story, title, image or video that is intended to attract attention and encourage people to click on a link. City related fake news may be used for clickbaits from unreliable sources so do not click or assume that all headlines are factual.

Stay safe from scams

Scams are dishonest schemes that have one end goal: to collect financial or personal information. Sometimes, they are targeted towards vulnerable residents like older adults, non-English speaking residents and young adults. Scammers often use basic information they have gathered about you to trick you into giving more financial and personal information. A phishing scam is when someone does this by pretending to be an individual or company you know. Be wary of these in Mississauga, as you may be contacted by phone or text messages.

For tips, read about scams and frauds from Peel Regional Police’s website.

It is essential to pay attention to content you view online and the conversations you have offline, in-person. Our residents have the right to factual information and as a City, we continue to keep residents updated on what’s happening. Misinformation is harmful and dangerous when consumed, so do your part and contribute by not engaging in clickbait and spreading fake news.

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