What abduction?

Fake news abound in social media; now comes fake kidnapping.

Three youngsters created a stir online in Dumaguete City over the weekend, sparking fears over the safety of children in the area when the story of their supposed abduction by unknown men spread over social media.

The two boys, aged 12 and 10, and their 5-year-old sister were reportedly found by authorities crying on the highway Saturday night and brought to the police station. They claimed a car and two men riding in tandem in a motorcycle had followed them and forced them into the car, only to be subsequently dropped in front of the city plaza.

To the chagrin of the authorities, the children’s uncle Rosalio, revealed later the youngsters made up the story of their kidnapping, apparently to avoid a spanking from their parents. He said the kids went out of town to watch the annual dog show in Tanjay City, then rode a jeepney to his home in Bais where they stayed overnight.

But the tale of the “abduction” had already spread online before Rosalio told authorities what really happened. Moral of the story: verify before sharing anything online. Otherwise, our society might just go to the dogs.