Social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern life. While it can connect us to people and ideas from all over the world, I have also noticed a troubling trend: social media is training us to be miserable by rewarding anger and division.
When we scroll through our feeds, we are inundated with posts and comments that provoke strong emotional responses. These posts are often designed to elicit outrage or anger, and they tend to get the most attention and engagement. In turn, social media algorithms prioritize this type of content, showing us more of what we react to.
This constant barrage of negative stimuli takes a toll on our mental health. Studies have shown that excessive social media use is linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of social isolation. It's not hard to see why - when we are constantly exposed to divisive and inflammatory content, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless.
The problem with social media's emphasis on outrage and division is that it reinforces our biases and prevents us from engaging in meaningful dialogue with those who hold different perspectives. Rather than seeking to understand and empathize with others, we are encouraged to retreat into our own echo chambers and demonize those who disagree with us.
This type of discourse is not only unproductive, but it is also dangerous. When we are trained to see others as enemies to be defeated rather than as fellow human beings to be respected, we lose sight of our shared humanity. We become more likely to engage in extreme behaviours, such as online harassment or even violence.
So what can we do about this? The first step is to become more mindful of our social media use. We should be aware of how much time we spend on these platforms and how they make us feel. If we find ourselves becoming overwhelmed or upset by what we see, it may be time to take a break.
We can also be more intentional about the content we consume and share on social media. Instead of focusing on divisive and inflammatory posts, we can seek out content that fosters empathy, understanding, and connection. Every time we are tempted to react with anger we can catch ourselves, and understand that this is what the algorithm wants. It wants anger and division, so each time we engage in these patterns online, we’re letting the house win.
Finally, we can demand more from social media companies. These platforms have enormous power to shape our perceptions of the world and our interactions with others. They should be held accountable for the role they play in perpetuating anger and division, and they should take steps to promote a more positive and constructive online environment.
In a world that rewards and encourages anger and divisive discourse, the most controversial and rebellious thing we can do is refuse to engage. Going against the status quo today means being kind, and compassionate, and coming at each interaction with nuance.
It’s never been easier to revolt. All you have to do is be sound.