More or Less: Behind the Stats QAnon: Did 365,348 children go missing in the US in 2020?
Jan 16, 2022
The podcast delves into the shocking claim of 365,348 children missing in the U.S. in 2020, exploring its origins and the misinformation that fuels it. Conversations reveal how political figures and conspiracy theorists, like QAnon, amplify misleading statistics. The discussion also distinguishes between temporary disappearances and long-term cases, shedding light on the real context of these numbers. Ultimately, it highlights the dangers of sensationalism and the importance of factual accuracy in combating misinformation.
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Actual Child Abduction Numbers
- The actual number of children abducted annually in the US is between 300 and 400, significantly less than 350,000.
- While still tragic, this number highlights the distortion created by the inflated statistic.
Boebert's Missing Children Claim
- US Representative Lauren Boebert tweeted that 365,348 children went missing in 2020.
- This statistic is misleading and fuels the QAnon conspiracy theory.
Missing Children Reports vs. Actual Missing Children
- The 365,348 figure represents reports of missing children, not actual missing children.
- Most reported children are found quickly, often involved in custody disputes or having run away briefly.