Mostly true: “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens”

Fact-check, Mostly true

On February 6, 2026, the European Commission issued a press release regarding TikTok’s allegedly addictive design. The release quotes Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy: “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens. The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects…

Uncheckable: “Drastic increase in suicide attempts by children“

Fact-check, Uncheckable

According to an article published by Berliner Morgenpost on January 6, a study of the Essen University Hospital claims that up to 500 children required treatment in intensive care units in Germany after suicide attempts. Since it is not possible to verify this statement, this claim must be classified as uncheckable. The article explains that the lockdown…

Mostly true: “More hospitalizations of children with depression”

Fact-check, Mostly true

On March 30, 2021, ZEIT online claimed More hospitalizations of children with depression. Already before Covid 19 the number of young patients with depression increased by 24 percent in 2019. This claim turns out to be mostly true. The article addresses the issue of depression in children and adolescents. The author says that even before…

Uncheckable: In Brussels, the trade fair for live goods began. Children are put up for sale

Fact-check, Uncheckable

Wpolitce.pl – a popular Polish right-wing news portal and TVP Info, a state news channel, report on alleged human trafficking taking place at Men Having Babies conference in Brussels. Misconception caused by terminology used in an article Due to the conservative predilection of the reporter – Grzegorz Górny – an article gains a tabloid tint.…

fact-check uncheckable

Uncheckable: “One family of asylum seekers retroactively received more than 90.000 euros in child allowance”

Fact-check, Uncheckable

The Belgian quality newspaper De Morgen published on 7 January 2020 an article with the title ‘One family of asylum seekers retroactively received more than 90,000 euros in child allowance’. In the article, Flemish Minister of Welfare Wouter Beke (CD&V) gives some numbers on the retroactive receipt of child allowance. Is the number correct and…