Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Brain Secretes ‘Dark Glue’ in Social Media Lynchers!”

Addressing the neuropsychological dimension of lynching behavior, Prof. Tarhan stated that pleasure-related chemicals are secreted in the brain during this process. Tarhan said, “In these situations, the brain secretes a dark glue. There is a feeling of malice, anger. Anger gives that person pleasure and the brain secretes dopamine. Since lynching is done in a group, oxytocin, the bonding hormone, also comes into play. When dopamine and oxytocin are secreted together, the effect we call ‘dark glue’ emerges. The person derives intense pleasure from this malicious behavior.” 

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the issue of mental health against social media lynching on the program Akla Ziyan with Nevzat Tarhan, broadcast on EKOTÜRK TV.

Criticism and Lynching Should Not Be Confused

Stating that social media lynching rests on a completely different psychological ground than criticism, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Criticism is like a surgeon's scalpel; its purpose is to correct. Lynching, on the other hand, is like hitting with a sledgehammer, aiming to destroy. These two should not be confused.”

Expressing that the need for individuals to feel morally superior lies at the core of lynching psychology, Prof. Tarhan stated, “When a person participates in a lynch, they experience temporary psychological satisfaction with the feeling of ‘I am better than them’. During this, they do not question whether the other party is right or not.”

Digitalization Built a Wall Before Conscience

Emphasizing that digital environments make it difficult for individuals to question their behavior, Prof. Tarhan stated that digitalization weakens moral sensitivity and said, “There is an ‘inner guardian’, meaning conscience, within humans. Digitalization has virtually built a wall in front of this inner guardian. In the past, people would stop and think before acting; now they can attack with a single click.”

Stating that this situation leads even unexpected individuals to be included in the lynching culture, Prof. Tarhan defined this structure emerging in social media with the concepts of “digital executioner-ship” and “digital inquisition”. Prof. Tarhan said, “Discrediting a person feeds the ego of the lyncher. Discrediting a powerful or envied person over a small mistake gives the lyncher great pleasure.”

'Dark Glue' Effect Forms in the Brain

Also touching upon the neuropsychological dimension of lynching behavior, Prof. Tarhan stated that pleasure-related chemicals are secreted in the brain during this process. Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said, “In these situations, the brain secretes a dark glue. In such situations, there is a feeling of malice, anger. Anger gives that person pleasure and the brain secretes dopamine. Since lynching is done in a group, oxytocin, the bonding hormone, also comes into play. When dopamine and oxytocin are secreted together, the effect we call ‘dark glue’ emerges. The person derives intense pleasure from this malicious behavior.”

Lynchers Have Weak Egos

Stating that emotional emptiness and low self-confidence usually lie behind lynching behavior, Prof. Tarhan commented, “Individuals with strong self-confidence and emotional fulfillment analyze before lynching. Lynchers, however, do not analyze; because their egos are weak.”

At this point, Prof. Tarhan drew attention to the “bandwagon effect” or “herd mentality,” stating, “When a group starts lynching, people can join this crowd without understanding what is happening. Especially organized troll groups use this effect very well. It starts with 50–100 people at first, then the crowd grows rapidly.”

Digital Literacy is the Key to Mental Health

Emphasizing that digital literacy is essential for individuals to protect themselves, Prof. Tarhan stated, “A digitally literate person reads digital content correctly, analyzes it correctly, and makes correct decisions. A digitally illiterate person, on the other hand, reads incorrectly and makes wrong decisions.”

Stating that the digital world should be used as a tool, Prof. Tarhan said, “It is necessary not to surrender to the digital world. If you are in control, there is no problem. Digitalization is like nuclear energy; if used correctly, it gives power, if used incorrectly, it explodes.” 

The Digital World is Like a Minefield

Stating that the digital world carries serious risks, especially for children and young people, Prof. Tarhan said, “The digital world is currently like walking through a minefield. Instead of opposing it, it needs to be managed. Parents should especially teach children to plan their time before the age of 10.”

Legal Sanctions and Transparent Algorithms are Essential

Emphasizing that legal regulations should be deterrent, Prof. Tarhan drew attention to the importance of making social media algorithms transparent and said, “Without transparent algorithms, lynching and negative digital culture become inevitable. States and global law must take responsibility in this regard.”
Also referring to the “right to be forgotten” applied in Europe, Prof. Tarhan stated, “A person may have made a mistake in the past. However, this mistake still appearing years later can hinder their job, marriage, and life. Nothing is deleted in the digital world, and this is a great risk, especially for young people.”

The Effect of Lynching is More Destructive Especially in Individuals with "Digitally Fragile Personalities"

Emphasizing that the psychiatric consequences of social media lynching are extremely serious, Prof. Tarhan said, “There are cases that have entered the literature. Post-traumatic stress disorder is very common in these individuals. There are cases of depression lasting seven to eight years. Post-traumatic stress disorder impairs a person’s quality of life, paves the way for addictions, makes the person ill, can lead to life disability, and can render them unable to work.”
Stating that the effect of lynching is more destructive especially in individuals with a “digitally fragile personality,” Prof. Tarhan indicated that it is vital for individuals who encounter such a situation to seek professional support and said, “When a person is subjected to lynching, they need to receive proper communication counseling. If the person is publicly known, managing the process with media consulting is very important.”

Prudent Analysis is Essential Instead of Quick Reactions

Stating that hasty reactions can further aggravate the situation during a lynching process, Prof. Tarhan made the following assessment:

“In such situations, a person should first look at this: How much am I at fault in this incident, and how much is the other party at fault? What was my intention, and how did the other party understand it? If there is a mistake, one should not refrain from apologizing. People can make mistakes. Apologizing is a virtue. Most of the time, society does not approve of lynching a person who apologizes.”

Prof. Tarhan stated that in situations where one is not at fault, the person should explain their behavior with reasons, adding, “It is necessary to explain what is right in a calm tone. This reduces the effect of lynching.”

Lynching is an Obstacle, It Can Be Transformed into a Learning Opportunity

Stating that the lynching experience is a serious obstacle in an individual's life journey, Prof. Tarhan said that this obstacle can be transformed into a learning process with the right approach and added, “A person may encounter an obstacle while pursuing a goal. If there is no plan A, there will be a plan B. In such moments, it is necessary to ask, ‘What did this incident teach me?’ It is important to learn lessons not to repeat the same mistake.”

Prof. Tarhan, drawing attention to the fragility in the digital world, used the following expressions:

“Being pointed at with a finger is enough of a calamity for a person. However, one should not remain silent for the sake of truth out of fear of being ‘lynched’. Honesty is very valuable, but it is also necessary to use honesty wisely and at the right time. Saying everything at all times, untimely, by saying ‘I am honest’ makes a person vulnerable to lynching. Good intentions are not enough, being honest is not enough, it is necessary to act wisely.”

Digital Lynching Accelerates Moral Erosion

Prof. Tarhan also evaluated the question of whether the increasing lynching reflex in society is turning into a “race to be moral,” stating that digitalization accelerates a social and moral erosion on a global scale.

Prof. Tarhan said, “This process brings about a global social decay. However, sociologically, this situation is sinusoidal. Evil increases, its negative consequences become visible, and then good people take action. After a while, goodness increases, and evil decreases. Societies are balanced in this way.”

Children and Young People Must Be Protected

Emphasizing that digitalization is an area where rules and culture have not yet fully formed, Prof. Tarhan pointed out that it carries serious risks especially for children and young people, and said, “The frontal region of children’s and young people’s brains, which is the decision-making center, has not yet fully matured. Therefore, parental guidance is essential. Screen exposure must be under parental supervision.”

Prof. Tarhan, stating that individuals with mental health disorders, substance users, and psychiatric patients are also risk groups, said that legal regulations are inevitable.

This is Not Freedom, It's Harming

Stating that digital lynching and aggressive behaviors cannot be explained by freedom, Prof. Tarhan said, “A person does not have the freedom to harm others. Nor does one have the freedom to harm oneself. Digitalization definitely needs regulations. Transparent algorithms are paramount among these.”

Also emphasizing that he does not see digitalization as a threat, Prof. Tarhan concluded his words by saying, “If used in the right direction, digitalization can be a great opportunity, not a threat. I believe that the legal and ethical framework of this area will mature over time.”