Google thinks it can pre-bunk stories more effectively than it can debunk them.
Prebunking is when experts prepare you with critical thinking skills before any misinformation comes your way. It is like “misinformation practice” because people are given practice with fictional stories before they can apply those skills to real stories.
A study from Google and university researchers found that it was an effective way to keep people from believing stories they deemed “misinformation.” They asked people to watch prebunking videos and found that those who did were “significantly better at distinguishing false information from accurate information.”
According to the Associated Press, “Researchers are now investigating how long the effects last, and whether ‘booster’ videos can help sustain the benefits.”