Disturbing Internet Photos Revealed As Fake
Darian Trotter WGNO News

February 2, 2012
NEW ORLEANS—
Disturbing photos are being circulated on popular social networking sites.

Some of them are attached to links that take you to other websites; while others promise to raise money for non-profit groups.

Experts warn, there could be hidden risks to disturbing photos being circulated on the internet.

The pictures vary and elicit a wide range of emotions from people who view them. Like the one taken of a baby, said to have a rare debilitating cancer.

"It's either sad pictures or it's pornographic looking," Alyson Kilday said.

"People try to spread all types of lies on and things on the internet and spread things for shock value," Andrew Larimer said.

The reactions to shocking photos, and emails are usually so strong, some internet users can't help but share them with family and friends on social networking sites like Facebook.

That is what causes disturbing images a hanging dog to go viral.

WGNO News Reporter Darian Trotter asked, "Have you received them before? I don't click on them, but i have seen them on the wall, people clicking on them," Kilday replied.

Pictures aren't the only things on the net intended to draw you in; there are other links.

And experts warn that in some cases, clicking on links with alluring headlines could take you to a whole other place.

Alyson Kilday's seen them.

"They'll say caught on camera, father walks in on daughter," Kilday said.

That's why there are websites like snopes.com

It's a site that will research the authenticity of material.

For example a picture that claims "liking" the group that sent it will generate money to help a cause; like the baby with cancer.

But Andrew Larimer knows better.

"Nobody's donating money when you click like or click share about this baby and so a website like snopes.com can disprove that and get people to stop sending it if they don't really know what they're spreading," Larimer said.

Experts warn some links are forms of "fishing." In other words, a way for people to get your information.

Best advise research the photo or link, or avoid them altogether.