In the past couple of years, hate-watching has reached new heights. This phenomenon has only been growing stronger, with people looking for more and more outlets to vent and voice their negative feelings aloud. Finding pleasure in seeing something utterly uncomfortable and judging others for their actions might make us temporarily feel superior, but it can say a lot about who we are as a person as well.
"Negative comments often say more about the person saying them than the target of their abuse," Dr. Reilly told us. "What’s different is that these are often instant reactions that remain online for all to see. In the context of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is perhaps understandable that people are turning to social media to vent like this."
Social media is notorious for immortalizing our precious wisdom and bringing it back to bite us in the most unexpected ways. When we’re overwhelmed by emotions, quickly typing a few hateful sentences and pressing "share" may seem like a great idea at the time, but the truth is, they could stay on the internet forever. When more than half of Americans (57 percent) say they have social media regrets, it’s always good to reflect on the choices you make before sharing your thoughts online.
"Think before you post. Words matter and may come back to haunt you. A good rule is to consider whether a relative (grandparent) would approve of what you are saying," Dr. Reilly concluded.
