1. Inform yourself properly:  

Before you start a conversation, you should find out as much you can yourself in advance. Those who understand the mechanisms of conspiracy theory are better protected against them.

You can find out more information about conspiracy theories on the websites for the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the European Commission or Baden-Württemberg’s state agency for political education.

2. Talk, don’t text:

It is important to hold a personal conversation in private. At the start of the conversation, try to avoid direct confrontation. This can cause additional resistance. Listen calmly to what the other person has to say.

3. Ask questions, make offers:

Passing someone else’s opinions off as absurd or rubbish is not helpful. You sometimes also struggle to make progress against conspiracy theories using logic and facts. Open questions about conspiracy theory are more likely to result in your partner reflecting on his/her own thoughts.

Instead, try recommending some literature, podcasts or films on the subject, so that the other person can take a detailed look at the issue in peace. This gives him or her the opportunity to have doubts and potentially find his or her own way out of this way of thinking. The next time you have the chance, you can ask if they want to talk about it again.

4. Get help:

In some cases, you might need to get additional help if people are a danger to themselves or others. In this case, get in touch with local advisory centres. Some states have their own special advisory centres for this purpose, such as Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia or Berlin.

Sources: Dr Michael Blume (antisemitism commissioner for Baden-Württemberg), Federal Agency for Civic Education.