Have you ever seen a story online and thought, ‘That can’t possibly be true’? Did you share it anyway?
We often tell each other things we’ve seen online: ‘Someone told me that…’, ‘I read a post that said…’ But with AI-generated photos and videos, how can we tell what really happened?
You’re going to read eight surprising stories. Some are true and some are false. With a partner, decide which ones you believe and why. Be ready to explain your decisions—but remember, an unbelievable story isn’t necessarily a false one!”
- People claimed that a killer dressed as the Cat in the Hat was roaming the streets of Britain and Ireland.
- News outlets reported that a raccoon had broken into a liquor store, got drunk and passed out in the bathroom.
- Someone told me that a kangaroo had turned up at an airport and tried to board a plane.
- It was reported that a whale had swallowed a man in a kayak and then spat him out.
- A social media post said that an orangutan had been photographed looking after leopard cubs in the jungle.
- Researchers said that they were using robot rabbits to lure giant snakes out of their hiding places in Florida.
- People claimed that a hurricane had washed four sharks into a hotel swimming pool in Jamaica.
- A news report said that airport shop workers had discovered a real possum sitting among the cuddly toys.