Does social media lead to violent behaviours?

Today, people use social media for many purposes: some for work, some for school, and some for socialising. It is undeniable that social media are now consuming a huge portion of our daily lives, especially in this COVID-19 era – we interact and keep up with current world events happening around us mainly through these platforms. Surely there are always two sides to a coin. On social media, there are both positive and negative, appropriate and inappropriate contents no matter how closely it is monitored. So what are the possible consequences that may occur from this? This brings up an ongoing argument: Does social media lead to violent behaviours?

Violence does not necessarily have to come in forms of physical actions, it could be verbal and psychological as well. Actions intending to cause harm are considered violence.

“In June 2014, numerous news outlets told the chilling story of 2 Wisconsin preteens who had lured their best friend into the woods and stabbed her 19 times. When asked why, these girls reported that the internet meme “Slenderman” drove them to do it.”

A case demonstrating a violent action influenced by an internet meme. Although social media may not be the sole reason behind such violence, but it does play a role and contributes in triggering offensive behaviors. Users may simply imitate actions they see on social media such as in shooting/killing video games or violence in movies. 

To add,  “ABC News  covered a story where they interviewed a Chicago resident that showed correspondents how sites were used by gang members to promote violence. It showed how gangs used social media sites to make threats, “call out” rival gangs, promote violence and recruit members. This activity led to real “Stomp-Outs”, real shootings, and real deaths.”

Social media, on the very surface may appear as harmless; however, individuals tend to over look the distress it could instigate. Therefore, it then links back to the idea of whether it should be regulated or not. Children are prone to adopting the actions they see, which can have a long term psychological effect and potentially result in violence in real life. What this means is that exposing the users, especially the younger generation to violence without close monitoring may be equivalent to slowing generating an increasingly violent society in the near future.

“Studies reveal that violent images make teenagers less sensitive to violence, which in turn promotes aggressive attitudes and behaviour…It’s been established that the media has a psychological impact on children’s minds, shaping attitudes and affecting long-term behaviour.”

This demonstrates the profound significance that a simple image could craft such a fundamental impact in an individual’s state of mind, dictating and hearing their thoughts towards a more negative light. Though some may argue that social media does not have any effects on their behaviors as they consume violent media content just for leisure and fun, but they are unaware that their minds are unconsciously already accustomed to the violence portrayed in what they consume daily!

Moreover, as social media platforms are opened for users to connect and communicate, it opens up opportunities for cruel individuals to cyber bully as well. According to a study from the University of Georgia,  “too much time on social media can increase your child’s risk of being bullied online and becoming a cyberbully.” It is much easier for the attacker to bully the victims online as they do not have to come in contact with each other face to face, which allows them to anonymously harm others.

Without careful moderation and regulations, more and more users are at risk of becoming victims of those who abuse the social media platforms.

In conclusion, social media does play a crucial role in forming violent behaviours, whether it is through physical or verbal actions. There are several ways to limit the level of damage that violence – triggered by social media – can have on society. Implementations of regulations and restricting access for individuals with different age to certain contents regarding the level of violence is extremely vital. Parents and teachers should also contribute in educating the younger generation about what is right or wrong, and perhaps monitor the social media usage of the younger ones who are yet mature enough to critically digest and analyse information consumed from social media.