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“Social media might seem fun, but it’s not all likes and memes. Dive into the hidden dangers of trolling, fake news, and endless scrolling—plus, get tips on how to keep your mental health in check while staying connected online.”
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Jonathan Arenburg
Jonathan Arenburg is an author, speaker, former firefighter, and trained counsellor. He has also worked as a Residential Rehabilitation Worker in a facility supporting people with mental illness and cognitive disabilities. Today, he is a passionate mental health advocate dedicated to raising awareness and helping others find hope through their healing journey.
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Home > Mental Health > Social Media > My Book The Dark Side of Social Media
In our hyper-connected world, social media is part of daily life. We use it to keep up with friends, follow trends, and stay informed. But beneath the fun and convenience, a darker side is emerging—one that’s harming our mental health and society. Trolling, misinformation, and endless scrolling are taking a toll, and the more we understand these dangers, the clearer their impact becomes.
How Troll Farms and Misinformation Hurt Our Mental Health
Troll farms aren’t just random troublemakers—they’re organized groups creating fake accounts to flood social media with lies and disinformation. These trolls often work with political or ideological goals in mind, manipulating public opinion through false narratives. Ironically, societies with strong media systems are more at risk because well-informed voters are exposed to competing, often misleading, information (Denter & Ginzburg, 2021).
Trolls don’t just provoke arguments—they stir up emotions and create toxic environments. Their goal is to spark chaos, drain mental energy, and stress us out. This constant exposure leads many to self-censor, withdrawing from online discussions to avoid backlash and feeling increasingly isolated and frustrated (Sharevski et al., 2020).
When trolls target specific groups, the impact is even worse. Take, for example, the 2016 U.S. election, where Russian troll farms sowed discord by spreading false information to divide the public on civil rights issues (Freelon et al., 2020).
Influencers and the Spread of Misinformation
It’s not just trolls causing harm—social media influencers can also spread misinformation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many influencers shared false information about the virus, contributing to public mistrust and complicating efforts to control the pandemic. People trust influencers, so when they spread misinformation, it can have far-reaching effects, making it harder to separate fact from fiction (Harff et al., 2022).
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This creates a paradox: influencers encourage political engagement, but they also inadvertently (or intentionally) contribute to misinformation. This leads to more online activity but deepens divisions and confusion (Valenzuela et al., 2019).
Social Media as Psychological Warfare
Trolling and misinformation on social media can be seen as a form of psychological warfare. These tactics destabilize society by undermining trust, spreading fear, and eroding social cohesion. Often, these actions are part of coordinated efforts by state actors or organized groups to manipulate public opinion and disrupt democratic processes.
Troll farms target emotionally charged topics like politics and health, knowing they’ll provoke strong reactions. Once we’re triggered emotionally, rational discussion breaks down and is replaced by anger and division (Shao et al., 2017). This erosion of trust is especially dangerous during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where misinformation can lead to real-world harm and even death (Suter et al., 2022).
The Emotional Toll of Trolling and Misinformation
The mental health impact of trolling is significant. Victims of trolling often experience anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. The constant harassment can make people feel powerless and drive them away from social media to protect their mental health.
But it’s not just direct targets who suffer. The constant exposure to toxic environments and emotionally charged content can leave all of us feeling drained, burned out, and overwhelmed by negativity (Freelon et al., 2020).
How to Spot Trolls on Social Media
Protecting your mental health requires recognizing trolls and avoiding their traps. Here’s how to spot them:
- Provocative Comments: Trolls often post inflammatory, off-topic remarks meant to stir up arguments.
- Anonymous Profiles: They usually have little personal information and generic profile pictures.
- Repetitive Responses: Trolls tend to post the same comments across multiple threads.
- Hostile Language: Expect insults and offensive language aimed at provoking emotional reactions.
- Spreading Lies: Trolls are known for sharing debunked claims as facts.
- Circular Arguments: They refuse to acknowledge valid points and keep debates going in circles (Fornacciari et al., 2018).
The best way to deal with trolls? Don’t engage. Trolls feed off attention, so ignoring them is the best strategy.
The Mental Health Impact of Mindless Scrolling
Aside from trolls and misinformation, endless scrolling through social media can also harm mental health. Platforms are designed to keep us engaged by feeding us emotionally charged content. This constant stream of upsetting posts can make us feel frustrated, angry, or sad. Comparing ourselves to others’ seemingly perfect lives can heighten feelings of inadequacy and loneliness (Ikbal, 2023).
While social media can sometimes provide support, the negative effects often outweigh the benefits, especially when our usage becomes excessive (Sadagheyani & Tatari, 2020).
How to Safeguard Your Mental Health
Given the evidence that social media, trolls, and misinformation can negatively affect mental health, it’s essential to take action to protect yourself. Here are some simple steps:
- Limit Social Media Time: Set limits on how long you spend on social media each day.
- Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that uplift and inspire you, and unfollow those that trigger negativity.
- Avoid Engaging with Trolls: Don’t argue with trolls—report them and move on.
- Take Breaks: Regular social media breaks help reset your mental state.
- Focus on Real-Life Connections: Prioritize face-to-face interactions with friends and family to maintain a strong support system.
Conclusion
The threats posed by trolling, misinformation, and mindless scrolling on social media are more serious than we often realize. These tactics are a form of manipulation that affects both mental health and society at large. By recognizing these dangers and taking steps to safeguard our well-being, we can work towards a healthier, safer digital environment. Protecting your mental health is crucial, and with the right strategies, you can navigate the digital world with confidence.
References
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- Harff, D., Bollen, C., & Schmuck, D. (2022). Responses to social media influencers’ misinformation about COVID-19: A pre-registered multiple-exposure experiment. Media Psychology, 25, 831-850. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/responses-social-media-influencers-misinformation-harff/7ba59a7a6cb557028f9f01a543f69c26/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Ikbal, M. (2023). Evaluation of the impact of social media on mental health: Reveals anxiety and depression trends. Journal of Digital Health. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/evaluation-impact-social-media-mental-health-reveals-ikbal/aa63af7db5da5c25b59c08e17da8c427/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Shao, C., Ciampaglia, G., Varol, O., Flammini, A., & Menczer, F. (2017). The spread of fake news by social bots. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/spread-fake-news-bots-shao/3407d407679d57a7a5ce069486e28ab5/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Sharevski, F., et al. (2020). Beyond trolling: Malware-induced misperception attacks in social media. International Journal of Digital Forensics and Cybercrime. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/beyond-trolling-malwareinduced-misperception-attacks-sharevski/75c62d18724d5e4da7c1b2024969d53b/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Suter, V., Shahrezaye, M., & Meckel, M. (2022). COVID-19-induced misinformation on YouTube: An analysis of user commentary. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/covid19-induced-misinformation-youtube-analysis-user-suter/285bdbd423c75ecf8a3b9eb5ca475a68/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Sadagheyani, S., & Tatari, E. (2020). Investigating the role of social media in mental health. Journal of Media Psychology. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/investigating-role-media-health-sadagheyani/47d22eb5f09051509b48147deefff523/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Valenzuela, S., Halpern, D., Katz, J., & Miranda, J.P. (2019). The paradox of participation versus misinformation: Social media, political engagement, and the spread of misinformation. Digital Journalism, 7, 802-823. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/paradox-participation-versus-misinformation-social-valenzuela/9a256ea3d81b5deab54a3a6247adf8e4/?utm_source=chatgpt
- Fornacciari, P., et al. (2018). System detection on Twitter: Identifying trolls and bot activity. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. Retrieved from https://consensus.app/papers/system-detection-twitter-fornacciari/222ad7ae306a5ecfa1553191bc91fed3/?utm_source=chatgpt
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