The Rise of Shame in Society

Public shaming has become more common recently, especially with the rise of social media. This essay, using various research studies and articles, examines how shame in society has increased in the past decade. The analysis will explore the role of social media, the psychological effects of public shaming, and the broader societal implications.

The Role of Social Media

Amplification of Public Shaming

The rise of social media platforms has made public shaming much bigger. Hundreds or even thousands of people can join in, which was never possible before. The internet can keep these shaming events forever, meaning the impact can last longer  (Meinch, 2021).

The Pile-On Effect

Online public shaming (OPS) has the "pile-on" effect, where many people join in on the shaming. Sometimes, this can make people feel sorry for the person being shamed, even if they did something terrible in the first place (Meinch, 2021). However, most experts think OPS is all everywhere, risky, and getting more common (Forestal, 2023).

Psychological Impacts

Cyberbullying and Mental Health

Social media has become a hotbed for cyberbullying, which involves repeatedly and intentionally harassing or mistreating someone online (Ashar, 2024). This type of bullying can seriously affect a person's mental health, leading to problems like anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm (Ashar, 2024).

Public Shaming as a Social Symptom

OPS, or online public shaming, is often viewed as morally wrong and harmful to society. It can lead to an "online hate storm" that has the power to ruin people's lives and reputations (Forestal, 2023). Many consider it an excessive reaction to minor social infractions, lacking fairness for the shamed individuals and responsibility for those doing the shaming (Forestal, 2023). This type of shaming is more likely to be destructive than helpful, causing feelings of harassment, control, and isolation (Forestal, 2023).

Societal Implications

Social Control and Norm Enforcement

Public shaming can motivate people to admit their mistakes and change their behavior (Forestal, 2023). However, it is also seen as a kind of unreliable mob rule that can backfire (Forestal, 2023). With digital communication, it becomes easier for anyone to join in on shaming others due to its low cost, anonymity, and instant nature (Forestal, 2023).

The Functionalism of Shame

Did you know that some studies suggest that feeling publicly ashamed makes people more likely to help others? For example, in one study, people who experienced public shame were more willing to help strangers than those who felt neutral or privately ashamed. This finding suggests that sometimes, feeling ashamed can encourage people to be more helpful and sociable, but it’s a high price to pay to learn how to empathize with others.

The increase in public shaming over the past ten years is primarily due to social media, which has made it more familiar and long-lasting. Although public shaming can sometimes make people behave better, it is usually seen as a harsh and unfair reaction to breaking social rules. The mental effects of cyberbullying and the wider impact of online public shaming show the need for more responsible and ethical use of digital communication.

References

Ashar, L. C. (2024, May 2). Social Media Impact: How Social Media Sites Affect Society. Apus.edu; American Public University. https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/business-and-management/resources/how-social-media-sites-affect-society/#

Forestal, J. (2023). Social Media, Social Control, and the Politics of Public Shaming. American Political Science Review, 1–15. doi:10.1017/S0003055423001053

‌Li, S., & Wang, L. (2022). The effect of shame on prosocial behavior tendency toward a stranger. BMC Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-01021-1

‌Meinch, T. (2021, February 12). Shame and the Rise of the Social Media Outrage Machine. Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/shame-and-the-rise-of-the-social-media-outrage-machine