Derby psychologist says people can change their scrolling habits online
As the new Ofcom regulations restrict social media platforms; a psychologist and influencer explains how watching sensitive content can affect mental health
Last updated 7th Oct 2021
The new Ofcom rules are set to make sure users aren't served up material containing child abuse, terrorism or racism. There are psychological concerns with these kind of videos, as people might find them triggering or distressing.
Video platforms like TikTok and Twitch amid others have been told to provide users with clearer guidelines when uploading after Ofcom reported a third of audiences had been exposed to harmful content.
The platforms will have to make reporting videos easier so that they can be flagged sooner and action can be taken.
Psychologist and Instagram influencer Dr Rachel Evans in Derby has noted that there are a range of ways of how watching violent content can damage people's mental health. She said:
"People who might already be experiencing anxiety, stress, perhaps they are in an abusive relationship or have had experience of that in the past, seeing these videos of violence, hate speech can be quite triggering for someone and almost make them feel worse."
The effects of normalizing violence
For social media users who regularly consume violent videos or are uncertain what is deemed as appropriate content, they may also lose a sense of reality if it becomes normalized for them or are trapped in a filter bubble. Dr Evans added:
"When watching video content, that critical part of our brain can often go away sometimes. You're almost hypnotized by the scrolling and not really thinking so I think people can get very desensitized if they keep seeing the same content, you think well this must be acceptable."
"If we see an idea more often we might start to engage with that idea, start to believe that idea more."
With more discussions around womens safety, it may be that some people need to become more aware of the videos they are engaging with and how it alters their outlook on life.
Videos can be easily misconstrued
Although some people may not have harmful intentions, Dr Evans also noted that different videos can have a different impact for everybody. She said:
"You can't always convey what you want to convey. The content itself is objective, it's how we interpret it. I think even with these new rules, potentially triggering content won't go away because something will always trigger someone so I think it's great we've got these guidelines but also we do need to take that individual responsibility for how we are using social media and how we are engaging with it."