Fake news doesn’t just affect public discourse—it also significantly impacts personal relationships, particularly among younger generations. According to a study conducted by the Nürnberg Institut für Marktentscheidungen (NIM), four in ten people under the age of 40 reported that disinformation had led to conflicts within their families or social circles. The study highlights the growing tension that misinformation can create in our private lives, as well as the broader societal challenges it presents.

The research, which surveyed more than 2,000 people representative of the German-speaking population, found that two-thirds of all respondents believe fake news is a major societal issue. This concern is even more pronounced among those over 50, with 77 percent—more than three-quarters—sharing this view. Tobias Biró, the study's lead researcher at NIM, pointed out that fake news isn’t just a stress test for democracy, but also for social cohesion. He emphasized the need for established media outlets to take stronger measures to reinforce their credibility, as the study also revealed that 20 to 25 percent of respondents believe fake news can even be found in mainstream media with large audiences.

In response to the increasing spread of disinformation, organizations like Correctiv are stepping up their efforts to equip people with the tools to distinguish fact from fiction. Correctiv offers workshops and interviews designed to help the public identify and combat fake news. Additionally, they provide platforms where individuals can submit potential false reports for fact-checking via an online tool, WhatsApp, or email.

As fake news continues to blur the lines between fact and fiction, fact-checkers like Correctiv play a critical role in preserving the integrity of information and safeguarding our relationships, both personal and societal.