Revolt of the Masses: Why People Are Aggressive in Social Media, What to Do

Kyiv Post analyzes present-day divisiveness accompanying social media – now at an alarming tenor – despite the intention to use technology to facilitate community through communication. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A picture taken on October 17, 2016 shows an employee typing on a computer keyboard at the headquarters of Internet security giant Kaspersky in Moscow. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Conversations in raised tones in comments sections, marked by devaluation, mocking slander, shouting in ALL CAPS, or outright obscene language while “sending” the opponent to an unpleasant locale (“Go to…!”) have become commonplace on the internet, especially on social media platforms. People, unwilling to understand each other, or even to let the interlocutor speak, immediately begin to accuse them of cooperating with the “wrong” politicians, working as paid shills for industries or corporations, bias or narrow-mindedness. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . It’s “OK” (but obviously, not OK) to write under the minister’s post on Facebook that he/she is an a**hole – a typical case in Ukraine, and beyond. And although, it would seem, it should be exactly the opposite – modern social media technologies were created to bring people closer together, help them overcome stereotypes, see and hear each other in real time, convey emotions and experiences to one another, that is – the truth about themselves and their views. That is, closeness on social media should help people understand each other, but on the contrary, the effect has been the opposite. The first and obvious reason is that people who find themselves “close to each other informationally” do not become closer because of this, since their stereotypes, views, etc., do not have time to change. Other Topics of Interest Telecom Giant Kyivstar Becomes Official Starlink Dealer in Ukraine Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecom operator, said it is now an official seller for SpaceX’s Starlink devices in Ukraine for business and government agencies. The company previously partnered with SpaceX to introduce one of Europe’s first satellite direct-to-cell services. And a large flow of information, the overwhelming of the space with it, does not allow one to focus on a specific issue. A zoology professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, explains the role of animal instinct: “This leads to the mouse effect. A mouse, when it encounters many individuals of its species, loses activity – it does not reproduce, moves less,” says one of the zoology professors. “The reason is simple – too large a flow of information creates in it the impression that there are many individuals of its species, and it does not need to try to obtain food, reproduce, etc. “The same is true for people. Oversaturation with information leads to its rejection, problems with thinking systemically, with concentrating.” However, this is not all. This explains the inability to understand the interlocutor. However, it does not explain aggression toward an opponent. There are deeper, socio-psychological reasons for this. According to professional psychologist Oleksandra Hurevych, the problem lies in the image of “accessibility” on the internet – it seems that you can reach anyone here. This is very relevant for Ukraine, where “riding the jackal express” – that is, collective bullying – with or without a fair reason – has become a real national sport on the internet. “There is an illusion of equality. We have the opportunity to write to any person, of any position or rank, tag any company — and we even get responses,” says Hurevych. “In real life, this does not exist. And our brain puts on the same line of perception a post by a person who does not know and one who truly understands, because we see just a set of letters in both cases. And then, as in the well-known saying, it is unclear who is a fool and who is wise.” Candidate of Psychological Sciences Oksana Liaska explains further: “Social networks are a platform for people who can react to something. Because aggression is accumulated dissatisfaction inside,” notes Liaska. “And it, one way or another, appears in everyone’s life: some have family problems, some have troubles at work, someone is dissatisfied with politicians or their financial situation. “But the question is how we ‘throw it out of ourselves.’ And here, for some, the internet is a place to come and react. To throw everything out and not go to a protest. And someone else, on the contrary, accumulates it all and then goes to the gym and releases it there,” says Liaska. This is where aggression comes from – a person believes that if they can do something, then they must do it in order to relieve their own state. Especially when there is an opportunity to speak out against the background of stress, which has become a constant companion of modern people in conditions of informational noise. This is especially important for Ukraine, where, since Russia invaded, stress from information overload is compounded by the traumas of war. Hurevych cites the Dunning-Kruger effect, wherein a person with only cursory knowledge in a complex field thinks they are an expert, more than is a specialist. “The main defense mechanism is devaluation. This is one of the main defense mechanisms of people with an injured narcissistic part. And there are so many of them. “It is easier to devalue than to face oneself and one’s feelings in response to what is perceived. And of course, the Dunning–Kruger effect. “The ability to quickly obtain any information creates an illusion of expertise; as a result, a person begins to think that they know everything, and why would they need other authorities… Although what they know is an illusion, it is not so. However, they do not know this,” says Hurevych. The question arises – what can be done in such a situation, when any knowledge, expertise, authority can be devalued? Some specialists, in particular the author of this article, who is a historian and hosted a popular science historical program on YouTube, believe that it is easier to stop doing it. And many people do just that – they believe that it is no longer possible to reach “ordinary” people. Hurevych explains: “From my experience, the deepest and smartest people choose not to speak, arguing that their thoughts will still not be accepted and will be devalued by the majority. They do not want to waste time on proof and persuasion. But this is exactly why one still needs to speak. “It is worth considering that a thinking audience more often does not leave comments and likes. They do not need this. But people ‘wounded’ by the lack of significance and recognition will react. When you understand this, you stop reacting in response. You see only pain — there is nothing else there,” notes Hurevych. Another option for solving the issue is the so-called PayWall – that is, a paid subscription, in other words – a property-based qualification. Some media have already applied this mechanism, which limits readers to the most interested ones, those who are ready to pay for content and therefore consume it consciously, not emotionally. However, this does not provide protection from aggressive reactions on social media, which are an open space. The surveyed psychologists say there are several options. First. Simply ignore. When you see that a person who aggressively attacks you is not expressing criticism but is trying to insult, perhaps what you are facing is pain. It is easier to leave it without a response, especially since it is unlikely to be received constructively anyway. Second – to joke. However, it should be remembered that any commenting will take your time and energy, destabilizing your psycho-emotional state, and comments or justifications will add pleasure to your offender. Many specialists even call this “energy vampirism.” Third – blocking. However, it should be remembered that by blocking too many commentators, even inadequate ones, you reduce your audience. This could lead to narrowing who hears you, making your sphere so vertical you find yourself in an information silo – which you are unlikely to approve of, especially if your goal is to promote your content or page.