Social media can be an angry place

When we read an angry post or comment online, we often feel negative emotions ourselves. — AFP

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, connecting us with friends and acquaintances across the globe.

However, this tool can also have a dark side, feeding into our worst impulses and exacerbating our anger and frustration.

The reinforcement of moral outrage, the phenomenon of emotional contagion, and negative behaviour like name-calling and rage-posting, can all contribute to a toxic and damaging online environment.

Online networks encourage us to express more moral outrage over time.

This is as expressing outrage online gets more likes than other types of posts.

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.

Aggravating mental illness

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.

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.

The Malaysian Mental Health Association can provide resources and support in this matter.

All mental health stakeholders should also come together to advocate for policies that hold platforms accountable for the content they host.

Platforms too, have a responsibility to design their algorithms and community guidelines in ways that promote healthier and more constructive interactions, rather than facilitating the amplification of incendiary content.

Platforms need to enhance moderation policies to swiftly address hate speech, harassment and misinformation.

With the availability of artificial intelligence, together with human moderators, it should not be too difficult to identify and mitigate harmful content.

The time has come for the Government to demand platforms to be transparent about their content moderation policies and algorithmic changes.

We need to establish accountability measures for content that incites rage and division.

As a regulatory body, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission can develop ethical standards for social media usage.

Transparency about how algorithms work and the criteria they use to promote content can help users understand why we see certain posts and videos.

Platforms have the obligation to provide us with more control over our content feeds, allowing us to customise our experience and reduce exposure to content that consistently makes us angry.

Ultimately, social media companies cannot run away from their moral responsibility to consider the psychological and societal impacts of the design of their platforms.

By working with all concerned stakeholders, it is possible to create a healthier social media environment that reduces the prevalence of rage and promotes positive interactions.

Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj is a consultant psychiatrist, the Malaysian Mental Health Association president and Taylor’s University Impact Lab on Mental Health & Wellbeing director. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.