Fake news has become a defining challenge for the Commonwealth, home to more than 1.5 billion young people whose digital habits shape the region’s social, political, and economic future. Youth increasingly encounter news through TikTok, WhatsApp, and influencers rather than traditional journalism, making them vulnerable to emotionally persuasive misinformation. Case studies from Kenya, India, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK show how false content influences electoral behaviour, heightens social tensions, and exploits institutional mistrust. Economically, misinformation has disrupted tourism in Fiji and Barbados, damaged local markets in Ghana, and hindered public health efforts during COVID-19 in South Africa and Pakistan. Commonwealth responses, including fact-checking networks, digital literacy programs, and community-led initiatives, show promise but struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving disinformation tactics. Despite the risks, the crisis has intensified interest in critical thinking, digital ethics, and information governance, creating new opportunities for youth engagement and employment in knowledge-driven fields. Fake news thus represents both a threat to democratic trust and an opportunity to strengthen digital resilience across the Commonwealth.