When Outrage Goes Viral: A Media Literacy Lesson We All Need

A dramatic story began circulating online a few days ago.

“SHUT UP, DON’T INSULT MY SON!” — Jennifer Bolt threatens Piers Morgan after he attacks Usain Bolt on live TV…

It had everything:

a famous athlete,

a polarising media personality,

culture-war tension,

a protective mother,

and an ending that promised a statement that “left everyone speechless.”

There was just one problem.

None of it was true, really.

Let’s use this viral hoax as a media literacy case study. Learning how lies really spread matters more than just debunking them. Before believing or sharing any news on social media, consider the following steps:

Step 1: Begin by verifying, not reacting emotionally

The story names two very public figures:

Usain Bolt; a Jamaican retired sprinter who is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time

Piers Morgan; an English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and media personality .

If an exchange this explosive had happened:

it would appear in major outlets,

be clipped endlessly on YouTube,

trend on X (Twitter),

and exist in permanent media archives.

It doesn’t.

Not finding any of this is your first warning sign.

Step 2: Look closely at the language used

Fake stories rely on emotional manipulation, not evidence.

Notice the wording:

“scathing message”

“angrily retorted”

“stupid and terrible old woman”

“left everyone speechless.”

These phrases: heighten outrage, remove nuance, and discourage critical thinking.

Real journalism tells you what was said, where it happened, and who said it, all backed up by sources you can check.

This story doesn’t do any of that.

Step 3: Be careful with the “private person” trick

The story suddenly introduces:

Jennifer Bolt; mother of Usain Bolt.

She is a private individual, not a public commentator.

This is a common misinformation tactic:

Use a real person, but one who is low-profile so readers can’t easily fact-check their statements.

There are:

no interviews,

no social posts,

no legal filings,

no historical record of her engaging in public political disputes.

That’s another warning sign.

Step 4: The missing statement that “left everyone speechless”

The story ends with a classic hook:

“Shortly after, Usain Bolt himself spoke out… with a statement that left everyone speechless.”

But the statement is not quoted or mentioned anywhere.

Why?

This is because it doesn’t exist. It doesn’t truly exist; it never happened.

This technique is called outrage bait, with the main goal being to get shares rather than tell the truth.

The question now is, why do such stories still thrive in our society today?

Why?

We live in an attention era where;

anger spreads faster than accuracy,

identity issues amplify emotion,

and algorithms reward engagement, not verification.

These stories don’t need to be true.

They just need to feel true.

Before sharing any viral story, ask these questions:

Can I find this on at least two reputable news sites?

Are direct quotes sourced or just dramatized?

Is outrage replacing evidence?

Does the story end with a vague but dramatic promise?

Who benefits from my believing this?

If the answer makes you uneasy, please take a moment before sharing.

Media literacy isn’t about distrusting everything.

It’s about building trust by relying on evidence.

In an age where anyone can publish anything any time,

critical thinking isn’t optional anymore; it’s necessary to get by.

If we don’t slow down to verify, we become part of the misinformation machine ourselves.

And that cost is much greater than just a few viral likes.