The Effect of Social Media trolling on Self-Esteem

We have felt low and worthless after a traumatic event such as a break-up or when we’ve lost our job. Everyone has been affected at least once in their lives and like many others, I have suffered from low mood and feeling hopeless which is a very dark place to be. Our thinking can become very impaired and we don’t realize we have access to more support than we thought, simply speaking to a friend or family member can make us feel better but can I also have tragic consequences as highlighted by recent events.

I have mentioned how The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters has helped transform my life for the better and has been a lightbulb moment to many of my struggles. We all have a separate entity in our mind called “The Chimp” which is the part of our brain that thinks emotionally and catastrophically to experiences. I have recognised that whenever I’m overly anxious or worried about something, then this is my chimp having it’s say and not me.

Social Media has put the issue of self-esteem in the spotlight as we feel more pressure to live up to the glamorous lifestyle and be “liked by everyone”. A big issue is that we can post a picture of ourselves on holiday with a partner and we can receive a large number of likes and pleasant comments, the danger is when someone posts a hate comment, it is the one that sticks with us and casts a shadow over the love and support we received. Using the chimp model, the chimp has a high drive for security by being accepted by others which is why we get so fixated to the one negative comment. We can challenge this by outlining the profile of the person who sent this, it may be through jealousy or they don’t have anything going on in their lives and abusing people online is the only pleasure they get.

Whilst commenting can be disabled on Instagram and the majority of Facebook profiles are real people. Twitter is a minefield for trolling and abuse, the issue here is that someone can create an account that has a profile picture of a footballer, pet etc. In this case, whatever they say, won’t come back to bite them as no one knows who the real person is. Don’t get me wrong, there is a good side of Twitter that has banter, humour and interesting debates. However, the majority of the platform is poisonous as people use it as a security blanket to make racist and other disgusting comments knowing it will have no consequences.

Anyone in the spotlight be it a professional athlete or a TV star are constantly under scrutiny with every move they make. Fortunately, some of them access to media agencies and PR teams who will run their social media accounts for them and filter out the negativity whilst they get on with their lives. Those with a large following are more prone to abuse but some have the knowledge and resolve to ignore these comments as they are getting on with their lives and not worried about what someone worse off than them has to say.

All in all, Social Media is a necessity nowadays for us to keep in touch with relatives, check breaking news and gives us the opportunity to strengthen bonds and make new friends. However, it comes with a risk as there is also a vicious side to it that can affect us but the people that can control it are ourselves. The only way we may see troll accounts eradicated is if legislation comes in but those who hide behind a keyboard tend to have nothing to do other than attack people, trolling doesn’t get you anywhere and is a waste of time.

At the end of the day we can’t please everyone and we need to know whose opinions are more important, good friends and family members can tell us home truths and give constructive feedback.