Is Social Media Turning Us Into Psychopaths?
Time for some Friday fun! Many people unfollow me and don’t appreciate my blunt force social tactics online. I’m not sure anyone has classified me as a psychopath publicly or not, but there are probably a couple folks wondering. I don’t believe I am – but I am passionate in my debates online. I even get heated once in a while – but I still try to show respect for others’ opinions.
The long-term impact of spending one’s life in the real world while constantly connected to the virtual one is not yet fully understood. While treatment for Internet addiction has been available since the mid-’90s, it’s worth noting that more people than ever before are exhibiting the ironically anti-social behaviors now associated with spending too much time online.From WhoIsHostingThis’s infographic, Is Social Media Turning Us Into Psychopaths?
At the root of my personal activity online is the fact that I’m public and transparent in my identity. I’m accountable to the things that I say online because I put my name and my photo on it. I don’t do anything under anonymity. It’s my belief that much of the psychopathic behavior we see online is because there are no repercussions to people lashing out or being mean online when they’re hiding behind the cloak of anonymity. I don’t believe people are any more mean online than they ever have been in real life… but it’s easier to be psychopathic when you’re not held personally accountable.
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