One recent conspiracy theory that has almost made the news headlines is that the coronavirus is spread through 5G telecommunication networks. In the UK, panic-stricken people began to tear down cell phone towers. Even celebrities like Woody Harrelson and M.I.A. spread this fake news to millions of their followers.

Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?

Coincidentally, most 5G network towers were erected in 2019 – the same year that the coronavirus began to spread. People indicate on maps on the internet that the places where network towers were erected correlate with the places where the coronavirus spread most rapidly (in urban areas, of course). But they miss a key principle: correlation does not equal cause.

How do conspiracy theories work?

Conspiracy theories provide a much simpler perspective based on more concrete “evidence” than the true explanations. People often believe a fake theory simply because it provides an easy explanation for a complex problem. The followers of politicians, for example, believe those politicians’ simple economic theories rather than the more realistic but complex explanations.

Despite concrete evidence that genetically modified (GM) foods do not necessarily cause cancer, few people in Europe are willing to abandon this theory because they have many alternatives to GM foods. The problem is conspiracy theories can coexist with the facts. Concrete studies on the benefits of organic food and, for example, the correlation between meat products and human diseases are scarce. Yet people choose to believe theories with a definite conclusion about a complex problem. They do not like random events; there must be a cause and an explanation for everything so that they can understand it. And that is what conspiracy theories offer. We feel powerless when we cannot understand something, and we prefer the threat of a known enemy over the unknown.

How do we tackle conspiracy theories?

Man was made to be part of a group, clubs and communities; it is a basic human need. The danger of conspiracy theories is that a community’s beliefs may not only prevent them from using 5G internet but can also, as for example in Nigeria and Pakistan, persuade them not to use polio vaccines.

The solution is to present complex explanations in a more digestible form to the public. When talking to someone who is susceptible to strange theories, try to break the problem down into simpler, more understandable concepts. Metaphors and comparisons can also help people to understand an unknown crisis.

When you want someone to give up a conspiracy theory, it’s important to make use of credible facts: refer to clinical or scientific tests, the opinion of someone who both of you respect, or credible news articles.

How do you recognise the danger signals of a conspiracy theory?

• A conspiracy theory is based on one so-called event that leads to another, and another. The argument is based on all those deductions that not only exist at the same time, but also depend on one another.
• The enemy in the theory is a superhuman or organisation capable of the impossible. People and organisations are often less influential than we think they are, but someone who believes in a conspiracy theory believes the enemy is capable of just about anything.
• The theory usually involves a large number of people who must keep silent and do everything secretly. The more people involved, the less credible the theory becomes, and the more certain you can be that it is a conspiracy theory.
• The theory suggests that a so-called enemy wants to gain control of the world or a country.
• The theory starts with a small, true event but ends with large, unlikely events.
• The one who advocates the theory refuses to consider any other alternatives.

Try using your power on social media to make sense of reality rather than sharing someone else’s simple theories. A problem consisting of thousands of components is unlikely to have an easy solution. The state of world politics, deadly viruses, wars, and the world economy can never be attributed to just one reason.