The Rise of Dangerous Clickbait: Exploiting Illness for Views
In an era dominated by social media and viral content, headlines are becoming more extreme, emotional, and misleading. A recent example that has circulated online reads: “SAD News: Doctors Announce Kate Has Fully Recovered from Cancer, But It Has Been Passed On To…” While this headline may attract attention, it is entirely false, unscientific, and harmful.
First, the claim that cancer can be “passed on” from one person to another is completely wrong. Cancer is not contagious. It cannot be spread from mother to child, from husband to wife, or from friend to friend through contact or proximity. It is caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and sometimes inherited risk — but it is not something that can simply be “transferred.”
Unfortunately, many people who are not familiar with science or health may believe such claims when they are written in a dramatic and emotional way. These kinds of headlines play on fear, sympathy, and curiosity, often using words like “SAD,” “SHOCKING,” or “BREAKING” to make the story seem more urgent than it is.
Why do people make and share these false headlines? The answer is simple: money and attention. The more people click, the more advertising revenue the creators receive. They don’t care if the information is false, offensive, or damaging — they care about views, likes, and shares. This behavior is called clickbait, and it’s becoming one of the biggest problems in modern digital media.
In addition to spreading lies, clickbait headlines like this also cause real emotional damage. Princess Kate recently announced her cancer diagnosis publicly — a courageous and deeply personal decision. To take that honest moment and turn it into a viral fake story is cruel and disrespectful, both to her and to her family. When such stories involve her children, the damage is even greater.
So, how can we protect ourselves — and others — from these lies? The answer is media literacy. We must learn to question what we read online. If a story seems shocking, too emotional, or scientifically incorrect, we should pause. Look for the source. Check if it has been confirmed by trusted media outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, or medical authorities. If not, it’s best not to share it.
In conclusion, headlines like “Kate’s cancer has been passed on…” are not just false — they are dangerous. They mislead the public, disrespect those battling illness, and make it harder to trust real news. As readers, we must be more responsible. Let’s stop rewarding clickbait with our attention. Truth and compassion should always come before drama and deception.
