BY: Mustapha Lawal
In today’s hyper-connected world, misinformation is not only a threat to facts—it’s a trigger for deep emotional and mental health crises.
As stories of high-profile individuals grappling with the psychological toll of fake news emerge, the conversation around misinformation’s emotional impact has never been more urgent. Beyond the distortion of truth, misinformation can have real consequences, leading to trauma, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
In an interview, Nigerian actress Eniola Ajao shared how a false rumour almost led her to suicide. When malicious reports circulated about her, she was unprepared for the overwhelming flood of negativity and public judgment that followed. The pressure was enormous, as she recounted moments of deep emotional pain and despair triggered by unfounded claims.
Similarly, Indian actress Sonali Bendre recently opened up about her own battle with fake news in the 90s—a time when digital media and fact-checking were scarce. Unable to counter the stories circulating about her, Bendre felt a sense of powerlessness and mental anguish. Her story reminds us that misinformation’s psychological toll is not new, but its reach and intensity have intensified in the digital age.
For young people, misinformation can lead to emotional distress. In an age when social media amplifies every story, teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to absorbing harmful narratives that affect their self-esteem and mental health. One BBC article highlights how misinformation about body image, health fads, and false beauty standards circulating online can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and even eating disorders among young users.
At its core, misinformation thrives on sensationalism. Often crafted to elicit a strong emotional response, these stories manipulate readers into reacting immediately—whether that means feeling fear, anger, or sadness. This emotional manipulation is why misinformation tends to spread so quickly and widely. Unfortunately, this is also why it can have such a damaging psychological impact, as those affected by these stories feel personally attacked or betrayed by their communities and the media.
One of the greatest challenges in countering the emotional damage of misinformation is that its effects can be long-lasting. For those directly targeted, it may lead to lasting trauma, a sense of shame, or an enduring fear of public spaces and scrutiny. Even for those who are not directly targeted, exposure to a stream of exaggerated or false stories can lead to an environment of fear, where anxiety and scepticism prevail. It is no surprise that a constant barrage of disinformation and fake news has contributed to increased rates of stress and mental health issues across populations.
To mitigate the emotional dangers of misinformation, individuals and platforms alike must prioritize mental health support. Victims of fake news need safe spaces to share their experiences and access to counselling if necessary.
Meanwhile, media literacy education can empower people to critically evaluate information and resist emotional manipulation online. While various factchecking organizations like FactCheckAfrica are paving the way to help people recognize misleading content, the demand for widespread awareness is higher than ever.
In an era when misinformation can strike anyone at any time, our collective responsibility is to protect both truth and mental well-being. Without intervention, the emotional cost of fake news will continue to rise, leaving scars on individuals and communities alike.
