Verify before you panic

As the end of semester examination approaches, tension fills the campus. Students get anxious, revisions are active, and WhatsApp and Telegram platforms are busy with updates. There is also this group of people in their comfort zone waiting for "apo" to drop when others are seriously studying. A screenshot is leaked into a class WhatsApp group, mentioning a possible change in the exam timetable, but it is marked "Not Final". Someone cropped out that part and reposts it, making it look like the exams had been postponed. Those who had no idea about fact checking believed the message, claiming it looked official. Some stopped revising while others arrived late, and a few did not arrive at all. Panic spreads when students discovered the exam had taken place as originally scheduled at the exam center. Arguments erupted between invigilators and students. The matter gets to those in authority. The school investigates the source of the leak, and a supplementary exam is held for those who were affected. This is all as a result of misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information shared without the intention to deceive, while disinformation is false information that is deliberately used to misinform. Information spreads quickly in today's digital world; with just a click, news reaches people in just a few seconds. Misinformation and disinformation have become powerful tools that confuse the public, damage reputations, and threaten social trust. What makes them dangerous is not only their speed, but their ability to look real. The impact of mis- and disinformation is severe. It can destroy trust in institutions, influence public opinion unfairly, incite violence, and harm innocent individuals. In extreme cases, it has led to social unrest and loss of lives. Young people are particularly vulnerable due to their constant exposure to online content. To address this problem, students must take responsibility for what they share. Verifying information through official portals, notice boards, or student affairs offices is essential. Universities should also promote media literacy and encourage ethical use of digital platforms among students. Don't allow yourself to be deceived.