Introduction
Rumours and deepfakes can spread faster than truth. They become a weapon when aimed at a person - especially a child or teen.
Signs
- Stories that are "too weird to be true" but spread fast in group chats.
- Photos or videos with strange lighting, mouth movement, or hand details.
- Suspicious profiles posting very specific accusations.
- Someone's address, school, or phone being shared to embarrass them - that is doxxing.
What you can do
- Pause before sharing - verify against an official source.
- Use reverse image search to check photos.
- Don't forward - you don't want to be part of the chain.
- Reach out to the person being targeted with a kind, supportive message.
- Report on the platform - most have channels for misinformation / deepfakes.
When to get help
If someone you know is being targeted by a sustained rumour or doxxing campaign, tell an adult and file a report. HeroFriends can liaise with platforms for fast takedowns.
After you read
If you or someone you care about is going through this, you can file a confidential report. Every report is handled by trained HeroFriends officers under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026.
Make a Report Now