With social media, the culture of lynching has become faster, harsher, and more widespread. Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan clearly separated digital lynching from criticism, stating, “Criticism aims to correct, while lynching aims to destroy.”
The culture of lynching, accelerated by digitalization, erodes not only the targeted individuals but also the societal conscience, fueled by individual pleasure, a sense of moral superiority, and herd mentality. Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan discussed the destructive effects of digital lynching on individuals and society, and potential solutions to this process, with Senem Uluhan from ensonhaber.com.
According to Tarhan, the roots of lynching behavior lie in both psychological and social factors. Individuals participating in lynching often feel morally superior, which provides them with short-term psychological gratification. However, during this process, the individual loses the ability to assess whether the other party is in the right.
EGO GRATIFICATION THROUGH DISCREDITING
Stating that digitalization accelerates this process, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that social media weakens moral barriers by saying, “There is an ‘inner guard’ in a person’s conscience. The digital world silenced this inner guard.”
Tarhan stated that dopamine and oxytocin hormones are secreted together in the brain during the lynching process, describing this situation as a “dark glue.” Especially in group lynchings, the feeling of pleasure increases, and the individual feels stronger as part of the crowd.
Tarhan stated that lynching behavior is generally observed in individuals with low self-confidence and emotional voids, adding that individuals with strong egos do not immediately fall for calls to lynch; instead, they first analyze the situation. Tarhan emphasized that herd mentality, referred to as the “bandwagon effect” in lynching, also plays an important role, and that organized trolls consciously use this effect.
Tarhan noted that post-traumatic stress disorder and prolonged depression are common in individuals exposed to lynching, and in some cases, this process can lead to suicide. Therefore, he stated that lynching victims should develop appropriate communication strategies and seek professional support if necessary.
LEGAL PROTECTION IN A DIGITAL MINEFIELD
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan likens the digital world to a minefield full of traps, emphasizing that those who wish to navigate this space must take precautions. Highlighting the importance of managing digitalization rather than opposing it, Tarhan states that the digital world should be approached with the same awareness, saying, “When a flood comes, you don’t stand against it; you hold onto a log and move towards your goal accordingly.”
Tarhan also emphasized that legal regulations have become mandatory for the protection of children and young people, and that making social media and artificial intelligence algorithms transparent is crucial in combating the culture of lynching.
Reminding that traces left in the digital world are not erased, Tarhan said that past shares can reappear years later to individuals.
Finally, Tarhan stated that digitalization is not a threat but an opportunity when managed correctly, and that this process can be established on a healthy foundation with conscious individuals and strong legal regulations.