As we know, social media is and will always be a topic for debate with the many arising advantages and disadvantages. You can find any thing of social media. When you think you’ve seen it all, there are more to surprise you. And here is a shocker for you, the bystander effect also extends onto social media. Quite honestly, this surprises me too, but let’s dive into the bystander effect on social media.
Before we do that, last week, we opened on the bystander effect (if you haven’t read it yet, I’m really not sure what you are waiting for) and how it occurs more than it needs to. To refresh our minds, this effect is a phenomenon that refers to the tendency of people to remain passive and not help others in need when they are in the presence of others.
The bystander effect, also known as the Genovese effect, is named after the brutal rape and murder of Kitty Genovese, during which no one came to her aid. So, if you haven’t read last week’s blog post, you’re missing out on some serious knowledge. And in the blog, we also listed some factors that contribute to the bystander effect, one that includes evaluation apprehension – fear of public judgement.
Now, how does the bystander effect tie into social media?
I, once, received this video from my mother, showcasing a disturbing incident. Picture this: over several teenage Caucasian girls targeted a teenage black girl, subjecting her to their bullying. It was disheartening that many bystanders, including the person filming, did not help the black girl in need.
However, the sadness did not stop there. An adult Caucasian woman fueled the confrontation, while recording the video and shamelessly goaded the fight on even further. It’s a disheartening example of the modern bystander effect in the social media world.
“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized, I AM SOMEBODY.”
Anonymous
It is worth noting that a significant number of the content we consume on social media is captured via video recordings that individuals have made. Unfortunately, instead of calling the authorities, many people’s first reaction to heinous crimes is to record them with their phones.
Some even take it a step farther by using their videos for content to garner viewership on their social media platforms. Without realizing, they are encouraging the act of whatever crime a person is committing.
On the other side of the screen as a viewer.
When you switch over to social media and start viewing content on your phone, you become a viewer. And while in the background, we often forget that we are viewing people’s realities. So, we are often quick to comment our opinions, whether we know the full story or not.
Social media platforms tend to create echo chambers where individuals are more likely to interact with people who share their beliefs and values. This can lead to the reinforcement of negative attitudes towards certain groups, which can further exacerbate the bystander effect. For instance, if a person sees a discriminatory post on social media, they may not report it or speak out against it, thinking that others will do it instead.
In the context of social media, the diffusion of responsibility is amplified due to the anonymity and distance provided by online platforms. Sadly, people feel even less responsible for taking action because they are not physically present in the situation.
Social Media as a double-edged sword.
Certainly, social media can have positive effects, such as helping solve crimes. However, it is concerning that instances of crime are quickly spread across the internet once they occur. This potentially leads to a lack of assistance for victims who have suffered for a prolonged period.
Social media is often used to avoid confronting unpleasant situations or issues. Nowadays, bystanders who don’t intervene may be less empathetic and less affected by violence and crime than in the past.
“Whenever one person stands up and says, “Wait a minute. This is wrong,” It helps other people to do the same.”
Gloria Steinem
People can hide behind their screens and remain ignorant of the problems affecting others. They can choose not to involve themselves and turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. This contributes to the bystander effect, where people remain passive and do not help others in need.
While social media can have positive effects, it is important to be aware of the negative impact it can have on our willingness to intervene or provide assistance. Instead of amplifying the bystander effect with social media, we need to teach people how to use these tools correctly and recognize risky situations where recording might not be safe.
Lead by example.
Her book, Reve-Healed – A true story of pain, healing, and hope, is available for purchase. Get yourself a copy today!
Undo the culture of silences with us, so many can be aware and learn. Share your stories with us below.
- WHY A CHILD MAY STAY SILENT ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE
There are many things children tell and want to tell. However, what their young brain finds hard to comprehend is when an unusual thing happens to them and they have have no idea what to do. Of course, while their first instinct is to report to their parents or a guardian or an adult they … Read more - Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: 6 Proactive Steps
Let’s address something for this week’s blog: child sexual abuse and ways in preventing it. I think, sometimes, we forget or choose to forget children struggle with situations that are bigger than them. Child Sexual Abuse being one of the struggles. Did you know? The experiences a person goes through at a young age tend … Read more - Suicidal Loved One: How You Can Help
September 10, 2023 is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the theme is “Creating Hope Through Action.” So, we will be talking about supporting a loved one with suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Suicide is a major worldwide health problem, with 703,000 people attempting it every year. Many individuals, including our loved ones, face difficulties that may … Read more - Social Media and the Bystander Effect: The Silent Spectators
As we know, social media is and will always be a topic for debate with the many arising advantages and disadvantages. You can find any thing of social media. When you think you’ve seen it all, there are more to surprise you. And here is a shocker for you, the bystander effect also extends onto … Read more - The Bystander Effect: Why Don’t We Help When We Should?
Social psychologists have conducted extensive research on the Bystander Effect, which is a well-known phenomenon. This phenomenon refers to the tendency of people to remain passive and not help others in need when they are in the presence of others. The more people there are, the less likely any one of them is to take … Read more - The role of parents in navigating relationship with estranged children
The role of parents in navigating relationship with estranged children is one not often talked about. Why? Culture! Our culture says the elder is never wrong, right? Wrong! Let me share a story with you. AN IMPACTUFL EVENT OF MY LIFE Everyone was seated around the living room. My heart was pounding and my palms … Read more
Leave a Reply