The effect of trolling via social media on mental health

The effect of trolling via social media on mental health is becoming a modern-day crisis. Social media is a convenient method of harrassing and bullying others in a non-direct way. You don’t have the face your victim directly yet you can express all of your anger and inner unhappiness without too much effort. Type insults and derogatory remarks furiously on a keyboard and …send. Job done.

Why is bullying on social media increasing?

The main reason that people bully others is to feel better about themselves. They tend to be unhappy people and when they bully, they are giving others a ‘tiny taste’ of how tumultuous and chaotic their inner world is. Instead of having to deal with our inner demons in a steady, healthy therapeutic way (counselling or therapy), it’s far quicker to project your inner chaos and negativity onto another person (known as projection). Social media has facilitated this negative energy transfer quite effectively. Cyberbullying can take place anonymously and this makes it easier to bully others with no adverse consequences — this needs to change.

Online bullying includes sending threatening, humiliating or intimidating messages, or posting hurtful comments or images. I have been bullied and harrassed on social media. The latest episode of bullying and…