How Childhood Myths Fuel Adult Conspiracy Theories and Fake News

Many children grow up hearing stories that shape their early understanding of the world. Tales of gift-bringing figures, magical creatures, and dark fables are passed down through generations. Yet as they get older, the truth behind these narratives often comes to light—sometimes with surprising resistance from adults who cling to them. From an early age, children are told stories that blend wonder with the unexplained. At Christmas, some believe gifts arrive from Santa Claus sliding down the chimney or from the Christkind, a heavenly figure in certain cultures. Easter brings the Easter Bunny, said to hide treats in gardens. Babies, according to tradition, are delivered by storks rather than born in hospitals.

Other tales take a darker turn. In one story, a witch-like grandmother is burned alive by her own grandchildren. Another tells of children acting as alcohol couriers for their grandmother, who is later eaten by a wolf. Even the seven dwarves, living beyond seven mountains, add to the mix of strange and fantastical narratives. As children grow, they usually learn the truth—babies don't come from storks, Santa isn't real, and the *Christkind* is a story. But some adults struggle to accept that these tales were never true. Instead of letting go, they turn to other narratives, often from sources like Xavier Naidoo, Russia Today, or Telegram channels. Naidoo, for example, has spread QAnon conspiracy myths about a global elite trafficking children for a drug called 'Adrenochrom.' He has also claimed Lay's potato chips contain embryo-derived seasoning, promoted the idea that Germany is an occupied corporate state, and pushed flat-earth theories. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he shared anti-vaccine rhetoric and virus denialism. This refusal to accept reality creates a world where fake news thrives. Some adults, unable to admit they were once misled by their parents' stories, now embrace even wilder falsehoods.

The shift from childhood stories to adult conspiracy theories shows how deeply narratives can influence belief. While children eventually learn the truth about Santa and storks, some adults replace those myths with even more dangerous fictions. The result is a culture where misinformation spreads, often with real-world consequences.