The Dangers of Clickbait

Written by: Keya Gambhir

Have you ever clicked on a video or article that promised something amazing, only to be totally disappointed? Maybe the title said “You Won’t Believe This Shocking Secret!” or “This One Trick Will Change Your Life!”—but when you clicked, it wasn’t what you expected at all. That’s called clickbait, and it’s everywhere.

Clickbait is when websites, YouTubers, or social media posts use exciting or misleading titles to grab your attention. Sometimes, it’s just a harmless way to get people interested. But other times, it can be a sneaky trick to waste your time, spread fake news, or even make money off of you.

Why Do People Use Clickbait?

Clickbait works because it makes people curious. Your brain sees an exciting headline, and you have to know what happens next! The more people click, the more views a website or video gets—and for some creators, that means more money from ads.

That’s why some people will do anything to get your attention. They might exaggerate, leave out important details, or even make things up. For example, a video titled “This Celebrity Got Arrested?!” might actually just be about someone getting a parking ticket.

The Problem With Clickbait

Clickbait isn’t just annoying, it can actually cause bigger problems.

• It Wastes Your Time – You think you’re about to see something cool, but instead, you end up watching a 10-minute video full of ads or reading an article that never answers the question.

• It Spreads Fake News – Some clickbait titles are completely false. This is especially dangerous when it comes to news about science, health, or politics. If people believe these fake stories, it can cause confusion and even harm.

• It Tricks Your Brain – Clickbait plays with your emotions, making you feel excited, shocked, or even angry. This makes it hard to resist clicking, even when you know it might not be true.

• It Can Be Dangerous – Some fake news spreads harmful ideas. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, clickbait articles spread false information about fake "cures" that didn’t work. This led to some people avoiding real medical help, which put their health at risk.

How to Spot and Avoid Clickbait

Clickbait can be tricky, but you don’t have to fall for it! Here are some easy ways to avoid being fooled:

• Check the Source – Is the article from a website you trust? If not, it might not be reliable.

• Think Before You Click – If a headline sounds too crazy to be true, it probably is.

• Watch Out for Over-the-Top Words – Words like shocking, unbelievable, insane, or you won’t believe are often used to grab attention, but they don’t always mean the story is real.

• Look for Real Facts – A good news story will tell you what happened right away, not make you scroll through a bunch of ads first.

• Be Careful What You Share – Don’t send an article to friends or family if it looks suspicious. It could be spreading false information.

Next time you see a wild headline, take a second to think. Is it really worth your time? And even more importantly, is it even true? If it sounds too good (or bad) to be real, it probably isn’t!