Dark social media participation and well-being. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quandt, Thorsten; Klapproth, Johanna; Frischlich, Lena
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in psychology. Volume 45(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Conspiracy theories -- Dark participation -- Fake news -- Hate speech -- Incivility -- Offensive speech -- Perpetrators -- Victims -- Well-being; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.11.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-250X

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, there have been increasing global concerns about the abuse of digital technologies for malicious 'dark participation', the spreading of digital offenses, hate speech, fake news, and conspiracy theories. Clearly, dark participation can have severe effects on the victims and on society at large. However, less is known about the impact of dark participation on the perpetrators' well-being. Preliminary research on the perpetrators indicates positive emotions and specific gratifications resulting from their behavior, in particular when it is fully consistent with their ideologies. Uncovering these gratifications—and the positive effects dark participation may have on perpetrators' well-being—could be the key to a better understanding of the dark side of social media. Highlights: Dark participation describes various forms of malicious online participation, including spreading uncivil or false content. Dark participation entails the participation of, at least, the perpetrators and victims—often also observers. Dark participation can harm the well-being of victims, intergroup relationships, and society at large. For the perpetrators, dark participation might provide unique gratifications that are yet to be fully explored by research.