PROJECT: STOP SHARING CLICKBAIT CONTENT
- isabels39
- 14 hours ago
- 7 min read
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Clickbait refers to online content, especially headlines, thumbnails, or posts, designed to attract attention
and encourage users to click on a link, often by using sensationalised, misleading, or exaggerated headlines or images.
While it may appear harmless or merely annoying, clickbait can pose serious risks.
It is commonly used to drive web traffic for advert revenue, but in more concerning cases, it can lead to phishing scams, misinformation, malware downloads, and the spread of fake news. In South Africa and globally,
the rise of digital media has made users increasingly vulnerable to such deceptive tactics.
SSS continues to warn the public about potential dangers associated with our focus on crime prevention.
Please read our previous project regarding this subject:
Clickbait refers to sensational, misleading, or exaggerated headlines and thumbnails that are designed to attract clicks, often without delivering the promised content. These articles or videos usually use emotional triggers like shock, fear, outrage, or curiosity to get users to engage, such as:
“You won’t believe what happened next…”
“Doctors hate her for this one trick…”
“This shocking secret was hidden for years!”
CONSEQUENCES OF SHARING CLICKBAIT:
SPREADING MISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS:
Clickbait often leads to websites containing false or misleading information.
Sharing this will contribute to spreading fake news, which can cause panic and confusion and even incite violence or disrupt public order.
Under the Cybercrimes Act in South Africa, sharing false information with the intention of causing harm is illegal.
DEFAMATION:
If the clickbait leads to content that damages a person's reputation with false accusations, you could be held liable under South Africa's Defamation Act, even if you were just forwarding the message without verifying its truth.
HATE SPEECH AND DISCRIMINATION:
Sharing clickbait that contains racist, sexist, or homophobic messages can lead to criminal charges under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
People have been sentenced to imprisonment for such offences.
CYBERBULLYING AND HARASSMENT:
Repeatedly sharing threatening or harassing content through clickbait links could lead to legal consequences, including protection orders and criminal charges.
EXPOSURE TO SCAMS AND MALWARE:
Some clickbait links can lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal information or install malware on devices, leading to financial loss and security breaches for those who click.
WASTE OF TIME AND DATA:
Even if not malicious, clickbait often leads to irrelevant or low-quality content, wasting the time and mobile data of those who click on it.
This can be particularly impactful in a country like South Africa, where data costs are significant for many.
EROSION OF TRUST:
The constant bombardment of misleading clickbait erodes trust in online information sources and the people who share them.
HOW IT AFFECTS OTHER PEOPLE:
VICTIMS OF SCAMS:
Others can fall victim to scams promoted through clickbait, leading to financial losses or the theft of their personal information.
SPREAD OF HARMFUL CONTENT:
Clickbait can be used to spread hate speech, incite violence, or promote harmful ideologies, affecting individuals and communities.
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS:
Misleading or shocking clickbait can cause unnecessary anxiety, fear, or anger in those who view it.
COGNITIVE BURDEN:
Sifting through and discerning legitimate information from clickbait adds to the cognitive burden of internet users.
EXAMPLES OF THE DANGEROUS IMPACT OF CLICKBAIT:
VIRAL CHILD RESCUE HOAX:
A widely shared social media post featured a photo of a young boy, approximately two years old, allegedly found and safe at a police station while authorities sought to locate his family. The post quickly went viral, stirring strong emotions.
It was later revealed to be part of a clickbait scam designed to drive traffic to certain websites.
Such scams exploit public empathy, leading to widespread misinformation and unnecessary panic.
FALSE REPORTS DURING COVID-19:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa witnessed a surge in misinformation spread through clickbait.
One notable instance involved a conspiracy theory claiming that 5G technology was responsible for the virus's symptoms.
This led to the burning of Vodacom and MTN telecommunications towers by protesters, causing significant infrastructure damage and service disruptions.
XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE FUELED BY MISINFORMATION:
In September 2019, false reports circulated online about xenophobic attacks targeting foreign-owned shops in South Africa.
These misleading narratives, amplified by clickbait headlines, escalated tensions and led to retaliatory actions in countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.
The spread of such misinformation had real-world consequences, including violence and diplomatic strains.
FINANCIAL SCAMS:
Clickbait has also been used to perpetrate financial scams in South Africa.
For instance, fraudulent websites have lured users with sensational headlines, leading them to invest in non-existent schemes or provide personal information under false pretences.
These scams have resulted in significant financial losses for unsuspecting individuals.
WHY PEOPLE SHARE CLICKBAIT AND WHY THEY SHOULD NOT:
CURIOSITY:
Clickbait headlines are designed to pique curiosity, making people want to know more.
EMOTIONAL RESPONSE:
Clickbait often targets strong emotions, such as shock, anger, or excitement, prompting people to share their reactions.
VIRALITY AND TRENDS:
People may share content simply because it is trending or they want to participate in an online discussion.
BELIEF IN THE HEADLINE:
Some people may not question the authenticity of the headline, especially if it aligns with their existing beliefs or biases.
LACK OF AWARENESS:
Many individuals may not fully understand the negative consequences of sharing misleading content.
By sharing clickbait, individuals become part of the problem,
inadvertently leading others to scams or harmful content.
It is crucial to be aware of this responsibility.
HOW CRIMINALS USE CLICKBAIT:
PHISHING:
Enticing users to click on links that lead to fake login pages or forms to steal usernames, passwords, and financial details.
MALWARE DISTRIBUTION:
Tricking users into clicking links that download viruses, ransomware, or other malicious software onto their devices.
AD REVENUE GENERATION:
Creating sensational but often fake stories to attract clicks and generate revenue from advertisements on their websites.
DATA HARVESTING:
Using quizzes or surveys embedded in clickbait content to collect personal information that can be used for identity theft or sold to third parties.
SPREADING PROPAGANDA OR MISINFORMATION:
Using emotionally charged clickbait to spread biased or false narratives for political or other agendas.
LIKE FARMING:
Creating seemingly harmless or engaging posts to gain a large following, which can later be used to spread scams or spam.
Their aim is often financial gain through fraud, data theft, or advertising revenue,
or to manipulate public opinion by spreading misinformation.
STAYING SAFE FROM CLICKBAIT:
STAY SCEPTICAL OF SENSATIONAL HEADLINES:
If a headline seems too shocking, unbelievable, or promises something too good to be true, exercise caution.
VERIFY URLs:
Before clicking a link, hover your mouse over it (on a computer) or long-press it (on a mobile device) to see the actual URL.
Ensure it matches the expected website address and doesn't contain unusual characters or misspellings.
CHECK THE SOURCE:
Ensure the information comes from a reputable and trustworthy source. Be wary of unfamiliar websites or social media pages.
LOOK FOR RED FLAGS:
Be cautious of poor grammar, spelling errors, unprofessional website design, and requests for personal information on unfamiliar websites.
CROSS-REFERENCE INFORMATION:
If a story seems unbelievable, check if other credible news outlets report it.
DO NOT SHARE WITHOUT READING:
Always read the full article or content before sharing it with others.
INSTALL SECURITY SOFTWARE:
Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices and keep it updated.
UPDATE SOFTWARE REGULARLY:
Ensure your operating system and web browser are up to date with the latest security patches.
BE CAUTIOUS OF SOCIAL MEDIA QUIZZES AND SURVEYS:
These can be used to collect personal information. Be mindful of what you share.
ENABLE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION:
Use 2FA on your online accounts for added security.
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS:
Stay informed about common online scams and share this knowledge with friends and family.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS CONTENT:
If you encounter malicious or misleading clickbait, report it to the social media platform or relevant authorities.
Sharing clickbait contributes to the spread of misinformation and exposes others to online scams, data harvesting,
and harmful content. It undermines digital trust and wastes valuable time and resources.
To protect yourself and your community, always verify the source of a link before clicking or sharing,
and exercise caution before amplifying sensational headlines that may not be accurate or trustworthy.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
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