Recognizing conspiracy theories and disinformation is the first and most important step. But what happens next? This section explains what you can do when it affects you personally. Have you come across disinformation or conspiracy theories online? Here you’ll find helpful tips for responding online.
How to respond appropriately on a personal level – to protect yourself and others – depends on the content, your role, and the specific situation.
Disinformation and conspiracy theories are often complex and manipulative. In many cases, conspiracy narratives also include extremist elements. That’s why it’s essential to stay informed through trustworthy and reliable sources.
How you deal with people who believe in conspiracy theories or disinformation depends on your relationship with them and the context. Are you talking to a family member, acquaintance, or close friend? Are they a firm believer, or have they only recently come into contact with a conspiracy narrative? These factors play a role in determining how to approach the situation.
It’s important to remain neutral and respectful, even when talking to supporters of conspiracy theories. Avoid shaming or ridiculing them. Mockery and lecturing often provoke a defensive reaction – the kind of “Now more than ever!” attitude that reinforces belief rather than challenges it.
People who are deeply convinced by a conspiracy theory or strongly believe disinformation are often very difficult to persuade otherwise. In some cases, they may even come to see anyone who questions the theory as part of the conspiracy – either as a naive follower or as an active participant. That’s why it’s essential to approach committed believers differently [anchor: Challenge] than those who are only loosely sympathetic [anchor: Refute].
Trying to counter conspiracy theories with facts or scientific findings often doesn’t work with committed believers. A better approach is to encourage them to think critically by asking open-ended questions such as:
Why do you believe this?
Who exactly are “the conspirators”?
Do you think this “secret plan” is realistic?
Why do you trust this source more than others?
Conspiracy theories and disinformation often contain internal contradictions. Targeted questions can help uncover these inconsistencies and prompt reflection. However, it’s unlikely that someone will completely abandon their beliefs immediately – changing one’s mindset is a long and highly individual process.
If someone has only had superficial contact with conspiracy narratives or disinformation and does not yet fully believe them, it may help to actively refute the content. This can be done in different ways:
Factual rebuttal: Present verifiable facts that clearly show the information is false, and provide accurate alternatives.
Logic-based rebuttal: Point out misleading arguments, internal contradictions, and flawed reasoning.
Source-based rebuttal: Highlight the poor quality, lack of reliability, or lack of transparency in the sources being used.
People often turn to conspiracy theories or disinformation during difficult life situations, when they are searching for stability, meaning, or simple answers to complex issues. Believing they possess exclusive knowledge can also enhance their sense of self-worth. And finding like-minded people – even just in online groups – can create a strong sense of community. That’s why it’s worth exploring whether personal problems or needs lie behind the belief in a conspiracy theory and what kind of help or alternatives might be meaningful.
Being empathetic and offering support is valuable – but it should not mean tolerating hateful or anti-democratic views. Setting clear boundaries is essential, especially when dealing with extremist content or suspected criminal offenses. The spread of slander or threats is not a trivial matter. Conspiracy theories that contain antisemitic elements, for example, may fulfill the legal definition of incitement to hatred. If you suspect a crime has been committed, you can report it to law enforcement personally or in writing. The police and public prosecutor will then review whether the behavior or statement in question meets the threshold for legal action.
If you are confronted with conspiracy theories or disinformation that show signs of extremism, you can turn to the Bayerischen Informationsstelle gegen Extremismus (BIGE) (official counseling and information center on extremism in Bavaria) for free and confidential advice.BIGE staff are specially trained to provide “help for self-help” – including support for people affected by the influence of conspiracy theories or who are at risk of becoming involved in extremist environments.
