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When we think of “fake news,” we often imagine one outrageous headline on social media – but that’s only the surface. The real danger lies in the process and techniques used to manipulate our thinking and emotions, not just isolated false stories. The manipulators don’t want you to see what they’re doing; they want you to react before you think.

Purveyors of disinformation use subtle tricks to get past our critical radar. They hide sources, frame old content as new, use imagery that triggers emotions, and present biased opinion as neutral fact. By exaggerating claims and selectively omitting context, they create narratives designed to evoke strong emotional responses, from fear and outrage to validation and belonging.

These techniques mirror classic persuasion tactics developed over decades – tapping into human psychology and cognitive biases that make us seek resolution, approval, or certainty. Disinformation isn’t random; it’s intentional and goal‑driven. Its creators want specific responses from us: click, share, believe, or divide.

From a wellbeing perspective, this matters because constant exposure to manipulative content can heighten stress, distrust, and emotional exhaustion. To protect our mental and social health, we must learn to recognise how disinformation works – not just that it exists. By understanding manipulation processes, we empower our inner critic, pause before reacting, and cultivate digital resilience in a world where connection and clarity are often obscured by design.

You can read the article here: Fake news is not ‘news’ – it’s manipulative disinformation | Engineering and Technology Magazine