You’re checking your phone. A video flashes by — it shows what looks like an airstrike. Another post claims missiles have been launched. A forwarded message warns you to “share before it gets deleted.”

In moments like these — when tensions between India and Pakistan are running high — it’s easy to feel a rising sense of panic. And in the middle of it all, it becomes harder to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

You’re not alone in feeling this way. During situations like this, misinformation spreads quickly, often faster than facts. And that’s exactly what makes it so dangerous.

At The Better India, we believe that staying informed shouldn’t mean feeling anxious or helpless. This guide is here to help, with simple, practical ways to verify what you’re seeing online, and steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the confusion fake news creates.

Why is fake news spreading so quickly right now?

There’s a term often used in situations like this: the fog of war. It refers to the confusion and chaos surrounding conflict, where verified information is scarce, and speculation fills the gaps.

Misinformation thrives in this environment, often for these reasons:

• Fear and urgency: We tend to share things quickly when we’re anxious or worried.
• A flood of content: Social media doesn’t slow down, even when the facts haven’t caught up.
• Deliberate attempts to mislead: In some cases, misinformation is weaponised to incite fear, create divisions, or destabilise trust.

© The Better India