We'd all like to think that we have all the facts and that the information we get from trusted news sources is entirely accurate. Still, disinformation has become increasingly prevalent in our society. People can say just about anything, and someone will believe them, and some people who know of this will use our inherently trusting natures to convince us of false information that they want others to think.
Why would people spread this type of false information? Most of the time, the purpose of disinformation is to push someone's agenda and cause others to believe it in order to alter the course of society, politics, and acceptance.
One example is the unfortunate belief that LGBTQ+ people are inherently pedophiles. This horrible rumor and stereotype has been perpetuated to spread fear, hate, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. The community as a whole vehemently rejects any association with pedophilia and is just as disgusted by those horrible acts as anyone else.
But why would people want to spread lies in this manner, ones that only encourage hatred and anger? The biggest reasons are control and power. If you can convince people that you're telling the truth and turn them against a perceived enemy, anything the other side says gets dismissed as false even if it isn't. The person giving out actual disinformation then keeps power and control over the people who believe them and can push those who trust them towards the beliefs they want their followers to hold.
Disinformation affects everyone, as everyone can fall victim to it. For those who identify as LGBT+, the example mentioned causes them to fear being affectionate with their romantic partners in public, mentioning their sexuality for fear of violence and discrimination, or even losing their jobs for being themselves. Because of the misinformation that people have been given, some people that believe it will act out in verbal or physical ways against LGBT+ individuals in a perceived act of justice when it's just an act of hate.
Disinformation splits our society into parts, engaging us in a bitter social war against each other. People with different beliefs are told that the other side is full of liars and traitors, and they believe it so thoroughly that they'll never open their minds to listen to others. The disinformation creates so much anger that there's little chance for reconciliation or civil discussions; only anger and distrust remain.
The current generation has grown up with more technology available at their fingertips than any other generation. While sometimes the openness of technology is a great thing, at other times, it can create a trap, causing people to fall down disinformation rabbit holes and developing extremist or exclusionary views. 
To protect yourself from falling victim to disinformation, always double-check the accuracy of things you hear on the internet. Check other sources to see if they agree with the claim or if they disagree, and check to see if there's any overlap between stories. If the same story is told by two different sites with different views, the overlap is what's most likely to be accurate. No one is immune to falling for disinformation, but if you check multiple sides of the story and listen to others, even if they disagree with you, you can keep yourself from falling for lies.
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