Fake news on social networks: Not small consequences

Police officers work with the subject spreading news about the collapse of the Ban Ve hydroelectric dam (Nghe An province).

Lots of false information

At the end of June 2025, public opinion was stirred up when many websites reported that artist Hoai Linh was seriously ill, or even had passed away. Artist Hoai Linh himself had to speak up to confirm: "I am still healthy, there have been rumors that I am sick or have passed away for many years now."

Not only artist Hoai Linh, Meritorious Artist Kim Tu Long also became a "victim" when some social media accounts spread the news that he had a traumatic brain injury and a brain tumor. As a result, in just a few days, the male artist received hundreds of phone calls to inquire, while his family and audience were extremely confused. In fact, the image of "being in the hospital" that was spread was just a scene from a new movie. Indignant at the fabrication, Kim Tu Long strongly condemned the individuals who took advantage of the artist's health to attract interactions.

Meritorious Artist Chi Trung also fell into a similar situation. Many times he was rumored to be seriously ill, even “passed away in an accident”, to the point that he himself had to post a clarification saying that he was still healthy. “A fake news, a misused photo is enough to make the public panic, my family feel insecure”, the male artist shared.

Not only artists are used as “like bait”, people also have to suffer the direct consequences of false rumors. On the afternoon of July 27, social networks spread the news of “Ban Ve hydroelectric dam breaking” in Nghe An province. In a panic, thousands of people in the flood-affected areas rushed to grab their belongings and carry their children to the high mountains, regardless of the danger. Only when Ban Ve Hydroelectric Company spoke up to confirm that “the dam is still absolutely safe”, did people breathe a sigh of relief and return to their homes.

Alarmingly, some individuals even staged offensive scenarios to shock and increase views. A typical example was the recent case of three young men in Ninh Binh province pretending to be women, filming a "hot scene" clip right in a moving car and then posting it online. They confessed that they only wanted to "create a scandal to attract views and increase online sales" but the result was public condemnation and the involvement of the police.

Unforeseen consequences

Cyberspace is considered a place to easily spread and promote products and images, but it is not a place to spread fake information, especially offensive images, images that go against good customs and traditions, and affect political security and social order and safety.

In fact, in March 2025, a group of 9 young people selling clothes on social networks in Ho Chi Minh City performed a prank of carrying a coffin to parade on the street to livestream and sell goods, causing an offensive offense. They were prosecuted for "Disturbing public order". The case of the person spreading the news of the collapse of the Ban Ve hydropower dam or 3 young men in Ninh Binh province pretending to be women to film a "hot scene" clip was also investigated and handled by the police. The timely intervention of the authorities is a wake-up call for those who have been harboring the intention of "attracting views", "attracting likes" to attract interactions to sell goods, need to clearly distinguish the thin line between creativity and offensiveness. Product promotion content can be staged but must not be untrue, contrary to good customs, causing bad public opinion in society.

Sharing about this issue, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Synthesis and Analysis of Public Opinion (Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City) Vu Hao Quang commented: “Due to limited awareness, many people will be drawn into the world of false news. Once they get used to fake news, they will gradually doubt even the things they should believe. That is the biggest danger.” From a legal perspective, Master, Lawyer Dao Trung Kien, Director of the People's Justice Law Company Limited, said: "Sanctions for providing false information on cyberspace have been stipulated in Article 8 of the 2015 Law on Cyber Security and Article 9 of the 2018 Law on Cyber Security. Accordingly, anyone who violates the provisions of the law will be subject to disciplinary action, administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation. If causing damage, compensation must be paid according to the provisions of the law. Depending on the nature and severity, the violator may be subject to one, two or more sanctions."

Social networks are an environment for spreading information, but they are also places that are easily exploited to spread fake news. To control and prevent them, we need more drastic intervention from management agencies and strong sanctions against accounts that spread fake news. Most importantly, each individual must equip themselves with an "information filter", not share unverified information, and not support wrongdoing out of curiosity or awe. "Getting likes" and "getting views" with positive information will be welcomed, but achieving this with fake news and negative comments just to sell products is a dangerous game, a behavior that needs to be condemned and sooner or later will have to pay the price.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tin-gia-tren-mang-xa-hoi-he-luy-khong-nho-713695.html