Spotting Misinformation Online

We’ve all seen posts online that feel worrying, unfair, or even make us angry. And sadly, some of that content is designed to make people feel that way.

Misinformation spreads easily when emotions are high, especially around important topics like housing, safety, and immigration. But we can all take a step back and ask:

• “Does this post feel designed to make me angry or scared?”
• “Is it blaming a whole group of people?”
• “Where is it coming from — is it a real, trusted source?”

If something doesn’t sit right, trust your gut. The kind, welcoming values so many of us hold are the best guide.

Understanding “Dog Whistles” – When Language Has a Hidden Message

Sometimes people use phrases that sound ordinary, but are actually meant to quietly spread fear or blame. These are called “dog whistles” — coded language that can encourage division without being obvious.

You might have seen things like:

• “They’re changing our way of life”
• “What about local people?” (used in ways that suggest others are less deserving)
• “It’s not safe anymore”
• “They get everything handed to them”

If you’ve used or shared these before, please know you’re not alone. These phrases often show up in posts designed to mislead, and many people have picked them up without knowing the harm they can cause.

But it’s never too late to pause, reflect, and choose a kinder path forward.

Be Cautious with Fake or Anonymous Accounts

Some social media profiles that look local or friendly may not be what they seem. Watch out for accounts that:

• Don’t use a real name or photo
• Only post about divisive topics
• Appear suddenly whenever new homes or community changes are announced
• Copy and paste the same content in different areas

These accounts often aren’t local at all — and they rely on real people to unknowingly spread their messages further.

Let’s not give them that power.

Kind Voices Matter

You don’t have to get into arguments to make a difference. Even small things help:

• Ask: “Where did you see that?”
• Share a fact-based source gently
• Say: “I think we all want the best for our community — let’s make sure we’ve got the full picture.”

A calm, curious approach can stop harmful narratives in their tracks — and bring conversations back to our shared values of fairness, truth, and care.

Tactics Used to Divide Communities

Sadly, some groups purposely spread fear and division online. They often:

• Start rumours after housing or community announcements
• Use fear of immigration as a distraction from wider issues
• Share dramatic or emotional content with little context
• Use coded language (dog whistles) to stir up blame
• Pretend to be local or “just concerned” when they’re not

These tactics work best when people feel powerless. But our communities are strong — and you can help stop these tricks from taking hold.

This Isn’t Who We Are

Our valleys have a long tradition of being generous, kind, and welcoming. We help our neighbours, we support those in need, and we know that sticking together is our biggest strength.

If you’ve found yourself questioning things lately, or feeling unsure — that’s okay. You’re not alone. This is just a reminder that your kindness, fairness, and care are still there — and they’re needed more than ever.

Think Before You Share

Before reposting something:

• Ask yourself if it matches the kind of community you want to live in
• Check if it’s from a trusted source
• Sit with it for a moment — does it encourage kindness or fuel division?

When in doubt, leave it out.

Got an Idea?

We’re looking for ways to bring people together and have more open, honest, and respectful conversations — online and off. If you’ve got an idea for a community event, online campaign, or project that could help, get in touch at comms@trivallis.co.uk. We’d love to work with you.

Let’s keep building a community we can all be proud of.