The "Is it real?" check
AI can now make pictures, videos, voices and news stories that look completely real. When you are not sure, this one simple routine helps you and your child work it out together. It works for anything you see or hear online.
Step 1 of 2
What are you checking?
The four steps: Stop, Look, Check, Ask
Stop
Do not share it or act on it yet. Fakes are designed to make you react fast, so slowing down is your best defence.
Look
Check for the tell-tale signs: strange hands or teeth, garbled text or logos, lighting that does not match, or a voice that sounds slightly off.
Check
Where did it come from? See if a source you already trust says the same thing. For a picture, try a reverse image search.
Ask
Still not sure? Ask a grown-up you trust. For a worrying phone call, hang up and call the person back on a number you already have.
Print it for the fridge
Before you believe it or share it, ask:
- Does it make me feel shocked, scared or rushed?
- Do I actually know and trust who sent or posted it?
- Are there odd details in the picture, video or voice?
- Can a source I trust confirm it is real?
- Have I checked before sharing it with anyone else?
Want to get better at spotting fakes?
See the tell-tale signs of AI-made images, video and voice.
Last reviewed: July 2026.