Abstract
The use of social media among youth has significantly increased over the years. Simultaneously suicide rate has steadily increased among youth with suicide being second most common cause of death among youth. Greater time spend on social media website led to higher psychological distress. Nowadays youth seek validation from strangers through Social Networking platforms. Positive Feedback from others can boost self-esteem and confidence but negative feedbacks can have an adverse effect on one’s mental health even resulting to depression and consequently suicidal attempts and self-harm.
According to a report by National Crime Records Bureau The cases of online harassment have increased by 25 % in past year alone, [1]“The online space can be a breeding ground for bullying and harassment”, says Dr. Samir Parikh, a psychiatrist at Fortis hospital. “The anonymity of internet can embolden people to say things they wouldn’t normally say in person.” This article delves into complex often blurred lines between humor and harassment, examining the societal implications of this phenomena through the legal framework, Platform accountability, and a cultural shift towards empathy and kindness online.
The Concept Of Dark Humor
Dark humour, also known as black humour, bleak comedy, dark comedy, black comedy, is a way of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally considered serious or painful to discuss[2]. The surrealist theorist André Breton coined the term “black humour” in 1935 to describe a subgenre of comedy and satire in which laughter derives from cynicism and scepticism[3] Writers and comedians often use it as a tool for exploring vulgar issues by provoking discomfort, serious thought, and amusement for their audience. Humour is generally something that makes one laugh and when something is addressed as ‘black’, in associates with something unpleasant or serious. The spectrum of dark humour is in front of us from very beginning, each one of us must have witnessed old, unimaginative, dry, banana peel slip in childhood in some poem or cartoon. But the issue is that earlier dark humour was used genre of comedy in as fiction, writers used to address unexplored taboos of society by the way of dark humour but nowadays dark humour has become a way of provoking one’s insecurities. Making fun of people’s disabilities, extraordinary traits, personalities or habits has become a cool thing for youth on social media these days.
Dark Humour And Online Platforms
Humour that denigrate individuals is as harmful as hate speeches. In today’s increasingly digitalized world, mimetic text–image combinations, or “memes,” along with graphics interchange formats (GIFs) and short videos are part of everyday online communication [4] .For decades, psychological research that has shown the effects and risks of combining humour and hate has categorized it as disparagement humour, “that denigrates, belittles, or maligns an individual or social group”[5]. Social media made people comfortable of disrespecting people through the means of online platforms.
Slut shaming and ableism is very normal for people these days. Interacting and connecting with strangers on online practice is common practice these days. Young adults (18-24), this group generally accounts highest social media usage and are habitual of sharing frequent updates. Majority of youth try to seek validation from people at wide through posting themselves, though it is not necessary that people seek validation but is somewhat a crucial part that motivates most of people to post themselves online. Social media host alarming degrees of hate messages.
Dark humour has always been subjective and it is no harm to say that not everyone can take dark humour. A social approval based theory of online hate suggests that the motivations and gratification of those who post hate messages are not primarily to antagonize their ostensible victims. Alternatively, people generate hate messages online primarily to accrue signals of admiration and praise from sympathetic online peers [6]
Third Party Fact Checking System To Be Eliminated
Recently Meta said that it will end its longstanding fact-checking program. First it is pivotal to understand what a third party fact-checking system is and how it will trigger online hate. So a third party fact checking system is simply when independent organisation or individuals, separate from the content creator or publisher, verifies the accuracy of information. The system usually includes cross examining facts in news articles, social media posts, or online content, Identifying and exposing false or misleading information and hence provides for credibility of information.
The fact checking system works generally in a way that may include some primary sources, public consultation, analysis of media, including photos and videos. Every time fact-check rates a piece of information or content false on online, the platforms significantly reduce the content’s distribution so that fewer people see it. It is pertinent to mention that Fact checkers don’t remove content, accounts or pages, instead they enables the platforms to take action and reduce the spread of misinformation.
Now as Meta announced elimination of this system with intend to get back to our roots and focus on “reducing, mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms”. Zuckerberg mentioned that the program was put in place on sites likes Facebook and Instagram in 2016 due to outside pressure for company to monitor content. The Meta will be transformed to community notes program similar to what X and formerly Twitter uses not relies on other users to report whether the report is misleading or needs more context .Although for now the change is limited to US expert anticipated that it could soon extent to big market including India .The elimination is concerning because it may lead to an increase in hate speeches due to lack of accountability , increased polarization , erosion of trust and amplification of harmful content.
The Ujjain’s Teenager’s Suicide Case
A 16 year old queer makeup artist from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide on November 21, 2024. The artist named Pranshu was a student of 10th grade at Ujjain Public School. He reportedly took his life due to online trolling and bullying. Pranshu was self-made talented makeup artist with a good amount of followers on his Instagram handle glamitupwithpranshu Pranshu’s mother has spoken out against online trolling, calling for strict actions against those responsible .
But the question at table is that ‘Who is responsible?’ social media platforms? Government? Or the trollers who were engaged in doing all the comments., which are thousands in number and out of those thousands of comments there is no proof , evidence or trace that which comment might have triggered the minor child and he took this step. No single person, organisation or government will take accountability of this incident. This case is alarming because this practice of trolling and cyber bullying where people spread hate without even giving a second thought on its impact to the user is being very common.
People have opened bit too much while commenting on others life. These days’ people show more interest in comment section filed with dark humour, hate and bullying and not in the actual content. The society failed when Pranshu’ mother said that even after the child’s death people continued to spread hate about him calling him crazy and it’s good that he died. An LGBTQIA+ community advocacy highlighted how child was trying to make his career as makeup artist , and claimed that he received over four thousand homophobic and hateful comments [7]. Being trolled is often linked with anxiety, low self-esteem, stress and depression. This case clearly depicts that how people lack empathy and kindness and how inhumane, cruel and insensitive our society is.
The Psychological Impact Of Online Harassment
The psychological impact of online harassment cannot be ignored. The victims of online harassment often suffer from intense sadness, guilt, shame and emotional distress. The constant barrage of negative comments and abusive messages can lead to a sense of hyper vigilance, that makes it hard for victims to feel safe and consequently it provokes suicidal thoughts. Negative response from public often demotivate and dissocialize the victims leaving an everlasting mark of social hate on their personality.
As discussed earlier majority of victims of this social evil is youth and adolescents. Because during those years of their life, individuals are developing their sense of identity. Negative interaction online can disturb the process, leading to lifelong psychological damage. Online harassment through fake accounts is deceitful form of cyber bullying. Today’s era is Digital and Modern era but the people in this digital modern word are inhumane. The anonymity motivates these people and they say what could never be said in person to person interaction.
The Online Disinhibition Effect – coined by psychologist John Suler – explains why people may act more aggressively online. The effect suggests that anonymity lack of immediate consequences and detached imagination can make people more likely to engage in hostile behaviours[8]. A study on Computers in Human Behaviour highlighted the impact of cyberbullying on mental health are often more damaging than traditional bullying as harassment digital is more pervasive , inescapable and continuous .
How To Address & Prevent The Issue
Cyber bullying is a complex issue and it demands a comprehensive approach. The situation is alarming not because this is happening but because this inhumane activity is being normalised. People dot hesitate committing this sin while naming it as humour. This issue needs to be dressed quickly. Taking the instant example of above mentioned case of the minor child. There is no clue that out of those thousands of comments which one might have made a 16 year old child to take such deadly step.
This anonymity is the centre reason of unaccountability and unresponsiveness among those who are the sinners of this crime. This issue can be prevented only through collective effort of social media platforms, community and legislature. Social media companies shall enforce more specific rules and take action against online bullying or harassment. Educating people to make them understand the earnestness of the consequences of their actions online. The government should also initiate by providing strict rules and a codified legislature for the same.
Conclusion
In conclusionthe complexities of this issue demand our attention.“The platforms need to take more responsibility for the content that’s hosted on their sites” says Apar gupta, a lawyer and digital rights activist. Prioritizing empathy, education and responsible online interactions. It’s time for individuals, platforms and policy makers to work like hand and glove and foster a more compassionate and safe digital landscape for all .
[1] https://cybercrime.gov.in/webform/FAQ.aspx
[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_comedy
[3] Breton 1940
[4] Milner, 2016
[5] Ford and Ferguson, 2004:
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X21002505
[7] https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/16yearold-queer-child-pranshu-dies-by-suicide-due-to-bullying-did-we-fail-as-a-society-mental-health-expert-opines-101701172202794.html
[8] https://johnsuler.com/article_pdfs/online_dis_effect.pdf
Author: Chahat Sharma is a 3rd year student, pursuing a BBALLB (Hons.) at Geeta Institute of Law
