ANN/THE STAR – Social media has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, allowing us to stay connected with friends and acquaintances worldwide.
However, it also has a darker side, often amplifying our worst instincts and intensifying feelings of anger and frustration.
The spread of moral outrage, emotional contagion, and harmful behaviours like name-calling and rage-posting all contribute to creating a toxic and harmful online atmosphere.
These platforms, by rewarding posts that express moral outrage with more likes and engagement, encourage users to voice increasingly strong reactions over time.
The increased number of likes and shares “teach” people to be angrier.
In addition, these “rewards” also tend to have a great effect on users’ respective political persuasions.
Moral outrage is justifiable anger, disgust or frustration in response to a perceived injustice; however, this emotion can be misplaced if the person is not well-informed.
Meanwhile, the term “emotional contagion” refers to how emotions can be transmitted from person to person, like a virus. When we read an angry post or comment, it is hard not to feel a surge of negative emotion ourselves. When we then criticise others for their viewpoints or behaviour, we often receive immediate feedback in the form of likes, comments and/or shares.
This feedback can feel validating and satisfying, and it can reinforce our sense of being right and increase our frustration and anger towards those with differing views. However, this eagerness to criticise can also contribute to a cycle of anger and negativity.
This cycle can quickly become vicious, as our anger spreads to others who then share in our negativity. Social media often allows users to operate anonymously or with a degree of detachment from their real-world identities.
This anonymity can lower inhibitions and lead to more aggressive and hostile behaviour. This online disinhibition effect describes how people may say things online that they would never say in person, often leading to more extreme and inflammatory language.
This is similar to the relative anonymity and security of being in our cars, which can beget shockingly abusive behaviour. This highlights just how badly behaved we can be, when we think we can get away with it.
Social media rage can be linked to various mental health conditions and issues, either as contributing factors or consequences. Emotional dysregulation, often seen in various mental health conditions, can be exacerbated by the provocative and unregulated nature of social media.
AGGRAVATING MENTAL ILLNESS
Those with personality disorders or traits such as narcissistic personality have the need for validation, and the potential for criticism on social media can trigger anger and rage in them. Similarly, those with borderline personality disorder, who have intense and unstable relationships, can have their emotions heightened by online interactions.
Those with pre-existing anger management issues may find social media a triggering environment, leading to heightened rage responses. Individuals battling with paranoia and delusional disorders may be more susceptible to the misinformation and conspiracy theories proliferated on social media.
This can contribute to or exacerbate paranoid thoughts and delusions. For those who have recognisable clinical depression, exposure to negative content and online harassment can worsen their symptoms, possibly leading to self-harm or suicide.
Constant exposure to negative and inflammatory content can exacerbate symptoms in those with generalised anxiety disorders, while compulsive checking of social media in those with obsessive compulsive disorder can contribute to distress and rage. Excessive use of social media can lead to addiction where attempts at withdrawal can result in irritability and rage.
Like social media addiction, the broader category of Internet addiction includes problematic Internet use leading to emotional disturbances. Even for those without mental health issues, continuous exposure to negative content and online conflicts can contribute to chronic stress.
TAKING BACK CONTROL
Using machine learning software, we are now able to postulate that social media algorithms reward users for posting content that promote outrage. One suspects that if the amplification of moral outrage is a clear consequence of social media’s business model, which optimises user engagement, then it also has the ability to influence the success or failure of collective thinking and action.
Social media users will need to be provided with more control over our feeds, allowing us to filter out negative content.
However, in the current situation, the onus appears to be on us to understand the role of algorithms in shaping our online experiences. Addressing social media rage involves a combination of individual, community and platform level interventions.
To help manage our emotions, taking breaks from social media can help us regain perspective and avoid unproductive rumination. Practising conscious consumption and focusing on positive and constructive content may be easier said than done. However, it is imperative to increase digital literacy by educating ourselves on recognising misinformation and to be sceptical towards sensational content. Additionally, recognising anger as a valid emotion and learning to understand manipulation can help us avoid triggering situations.
Similarly, avoiding stereotyping and considering other perspectives can aid us in navigating social media interactions more peacefully.
Finally, admitting mistakes and focusing on individual characteristics instead of group identity in our multi-cultural society can contribute to healthier online discourse.
Unfortunately, negative behaviour on social media can have other long-term consequences as well. When we engage in rage posts or derogatory name-calling, we not only damage our reputation online, but also showcase a lack of rational self-control.
It is good to be conscious that employers and potential partners may look at our social media profiles and see evidence of a volatile or unpredictable personality.
At the community level, collaboration between government agencies and mental health organisations can launch campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of social media rage and how to mitigate it.
