It seems that the fastest growing internet fad recently is to constantly criticize posts online. A quick scroll through your Instagram or TikTok feed will find a host of people condemned for the crimes of being overweight, unattractive, a different race, and so on. In particular, a look at the comment sections of social media platforms reveals a plethora of criticism and hateful remarks.
While criticism isn’t particularly new to the internet, now, more than ever before, people are growing comfortable using these jabs, even on videos completely irrelevant in regards to these characteristics that people are getting mocked for. So, what drives this pattern of hatred and how can we stop it?
A large part of the problem is anonymity. In a world where people can hide behind facades and profiles, it is becoming easier than ever to criticize others and make comments without facing any repercussions. Without the threat of comments being traced back to these commenters, they continue posting without a second thought. Although anonymity offers a universal set of protections for individuals, it can be weaponized in such ways to target individuals on the internet. This feeds into a “mob mentality” as well, in which people engage with group identities and beliefs, rather than their own. For example, if an entire comment section is trashing the original content creator, commenters are more likely to be biased against them to fit within the default groups’ norms.
Another part of the issue is the algorithm of social media apps. Neutrality and peace doesn’t often engage people as much as inflammatory videos online. Naturally, the algorithm will push the videos which receive the most interaction, and these are the ones which tend to be the most controversial. This creates a positive feedback loop: as more users interact with these videos, the more the videos get pushed out to other people, which causes more people to interact with them.
Some people game the system by creating content known colloquially as “ragebait”: content made with the purpose of aggravating a large group of people. These videos usually make incredibly bad takes or reactions purposefully to attract commenters that will attack them, and most of the time, people fall for them. For example, a person purposefully posting a “cringeworthy” video which appeals to a certain stereotype held against them, like a person pretending to be a Western Anime fan constantly inserting Japanese phrases into their dialogue, will cause people to enter the comments and mock them.
People who post “ragebait” content may have mixed intentions. Some may want to go viral and rack up a large number of views, replies, and shares. Others may just want to troll users to get a reaction. On the other hand, some people may purposely post ragebait to provoke others and get revenge.
A common phenomenon on these videos is the concept of being “ratioed,” where a person’s post receives more replies than likes, signifying the unpopularity or stupidity of the original post. As mentioned, the algorithm of social media only exacerbates the issue. Due to the increased replies and interaction with the post, it not only quickly gains attraction, but also controversy and criticisms.
An example of cynicism on social media is the recent backlash against Ashton Hall, a fitness influencer and popular content creator on Instagram and YouTube. Videos of his morning routine, which involved rather extreme measures such as dunking his head in a bowl of ice water and rubbing his face with a banana peel, quickly spread and became viral. Soon, a slew of parody videos mimicking and mocking his morning routine were created, and memes about the bizarre nature of his routine spread. Interestingly enough, despite all the backlash he has faced, Hall is using the gained popularity to further promote his content creation.
So, how can we acknowledge our own cynicism on social media? First, it is important to recognize when we are being influenced by others’ thoughts. Before judging a person online, try to recognize their intentions. Could the video be satirical? And if so, what is it attempting to criticize? Or, is the video simply trying to bait a reaction out of you for interaction? Answering these questions can help narrow down the authenticity of the video. Then, if the subject matter is targeting a characteristic, such as appearance, race, religion, etc., ask yourself what particularly bothers you and why. Is it something this person can control? Is it something that they may already be aware of? If so, you might not want to engage with the post in the form of a comment.
The goal of social media is to keep you hooked for the longest time possible, and it’s desperate. If it has to use your values or manipulate you into hating someone online, it will do so. The best way to avoid the cynicism social media can sow in you is to avoid social media itself. However, if this option isn’t feasible, attempting to have an open and astute mind online is a viable method. Not interacting or engaging with hate content and removing unwanted posts from your feed may be able to help keep yourself from becoming one of these internet cynics.
