Digital lynch mobs create a “dark glue” Effect in the Brain

Addressing the neuropsychological dimension of lynching behavior, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that chemicals associated with pleasure are released in the brain during this process. Prof. Tarhan said, “In such situations, the brain secretes what we call a dark glue. There is a feeling of malice and anger. Anger gives the person pleasure and the brain releases dopamine. Since lynching is carried out as a group, oxytocin, the bonding hormone, is also activated. When dopamine and oxytocin are released together, the effect we call dark glue emerges. The person derives intense pleasure from this malicious behavior.”

President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the issue of mental health in the face of social media lynching.

Criticism and lynching should not be confused

Stating that social media lynching is based on a completely different psychological ground than criticism, Prof. Tarhan said, “Criticism is like a surgeon’s scalpel; its aim is to correct. Lynching is like striking with a sledgehammer; it aims to destroy. These two should not be confused.”

He noted that the psychology of lynching is rooted in the individual’s need to feel morally superior and said, “When a person joins a lynch mob, they experience temporary psychological satisfaction with the feeling of ‘I am better than them.’ At that moment, they do not question whether the other party is right.”

Digitalization has built a wall in front of conscience

Emphasizing that digital environments make it harder for individuals to question their behavior, Prof. Tarhan stated that digitalization has weakened moral sensitivity. “There is an inner guard in human beings, namely conscience. Digitalization has almost built a wall in front of this inner guard. In the past, people would pause and think before taking action; now they can attack with a single click,” he said.

He added that this situation leads even unexpected individuals to become part of lynch culture, describing this structure on social media as “digital execution” and “digital inquisition.” Prof. Tarhan said, “Discrediting someone feeds the ego of the lyncher. Discrediting a powerful or envied person over a minor mistake gives the lyncher great pleasure.”

A “dark glue” effect forms in the brain

Referring again to the neuropsychological dimension of lynching behavior, Prof. Tarhan explained that pleasure-related chemicals are released in the brain during this process. “In such cases, the brain secretes what we call dark glue. There is a sense of malice and anger. Anger gives pleasure and the brain releases dopamine. Since lynching occurs in groups, oxytocin, the bonding hormone, is also activated. When dopamine and oxytocin are released together, the dark glue effect emerges. The person derives intense pleasure from this malicious act,” he said.

Organized troll groups use this effect effectively

Stating that lynching behavior is often rooted in emotional emptiness and low self-esteem, Prof. Tarhan said, “Individuals with strong self-confidence and emotional fulfillment analyze before engaging in lynching. Those who lynch do not analyze because their egos are fragile.”

Drawing attention to the “bandwagon effect” or herd psychology, he said, “When a group initiates a lynch campaign, people can join the crowd without understanding what is happening. Organized troll groups use this effect very effectively. It starts with 50 to 100 people and then the crowd grows rapidly.”

Digital literacy is the key to mental health

Emphasizing that digital literacy is essential for individuals to protect themselves, Prof. Tarhan stated, “A digitally literate person reads digital content correctly, analyzes it properly, and makes sound decisions. A person who is not digitally literate misreads and makes wrong decisions.”

He underlined that the digital world should be used as a tool and said, “One should not surrender to the digital world. If you are holding the steering wheel, there is no problem. Digitalization is like nuclear energy; if used correctly, it empowers, if used incorrectly, it explodes.”

The digital world is like a minefield

Stating that the digital world poses serious risks especially for children and young people, Prof. Tarhan said, “The digital world right now is like walking through a minefield. Instead of opposing it, we need to manage it. Parents should teach children, especially before the age of 10, how to plan their time.”

Legal sanctions and transparent algorithms are essential

Prof. Tarhan emphasized that legal regulations must be deterrent and highlighted the importance of making social media algorithms transparent. “Without transparent algorithms, lynching and negative digital culture become inevitable. States and global legal systems must take responsibility in this matter,” he said.

Referring to the “right to be forgotten” applied in Europe, he stated, “A person may have made a mistake in the past. However, if that mistake continues to appear years later, it can hinder their job, marriage, and life. Nothing is erased in the digital world, and this poses a major risk, especially for young people.”

The impact of lynching is more destructive for those with “digital fragile personalities”

Emphasizing that the psychiatric consequences of social media lynching are extremely serious, Prof. Tarhan said, “There are cases recorded in the literature. Post-traumatic stress disorder is very common in these individuals. There are depression cases lasting seven to eight years. Post-traumatic stress disorder reduces quality of life, lays the groundwork for addictions, makes individuals ill, leads to loss of functionality, and can render them unable to work.”

He noted that the impact of lynching is particularly destructive for individuals with “digital fragile personalities” and stressed the vital importance of seeking professional support in such situations. “When a person is subjected to lynching, they need proper communication consultancy. If the individual is a public figure, managing the process with media consultancy is very important,” he said.

Sound analysis is necessary instead of immediate reaction

Prof. Tarhan stated that hasty reactions during a lynching process may worsen the situation. “In such cases, a person should first evaluate: What percentage am I at fault and what percentage is the other party at fault? What was my intention and how was it perceived? If there is a mistake, one should not hesitate to apologize. Human beings can make mistakes. Apologizing is a virtue. Most of the time, society does not approve of lynching someone who apologizes,” he said.

If there is no fault, he added, the individual should calmly explain the reasons behind their actions. “Explaining the truth in a calm manner reduces the impact of lynching,” he stated.

Lynching is an obstacle but can be turned into a learning opportunity

Prof. Tarhan described the experience of lynching as a serious obstacle in a person’s life journey but said it can be transformed into a learning process with the right approach. “When pursuing a goal, a person may encounter obstacles. If there is no Plan A, there can be a Plan B. In such moments, one should ask, ‘What did this event teach me?’ It is important to draw lessons in order not to repeat the same mistake,” he said.

He added, “Being pointed at by others is a sufficient misfortune. However, one should not remain silent out of fear of being lynched when standing for what is right. Honesty is very valuable, but it must also be used wisely and at the right time. Saying everything at all times under the banner of honesty can make a person vulnerable to lynching. Good intentions and honesty are not enough; one must act wisely.”

Digital lynching accelerates moral decay

Addressing whether the increasing reflex of lynching in society has turned into a competition to appear morally superior, Prof. Tarhan stated that digitalization has accelerated social and moral decay on a global scale.

“This process brings global social deterioration. However, sociologically, this situation is cyclical. Evil increases, its negative consequences become visible, and then the good respond. After a while, goodness increases and evil decreases. Societies regain balance in this way,” he said.

Children and young people must be protected

Emphasizing that digitalization is still an area whose rules and culture have not fully matured, Prof. Tarhan highlighted the serious risks it poses especially for children and young people. “The decision-making center in the brains of children and adolescents, the frontal region, has not yet fully matured. Therefore, parental guidance is essential. Screen exposure must be under parental supervision,” he said.

He also noted that individuals with mental health disorders, substance users, and psychiatric patients constitute risk groups and that legal regulations are inevitable.

This is not freedom but harm

Stating that digital lynching and aggressive behavior cannot be justified as freedom, Prof. Tarhan said, “No one has the freedom to harm another person. Nor does anyone have the freedom to harm themselves. Digitalization absolutely needs regulation. Transparent algorithms are at the forefront of this.”

He concluded by emphasizing that he does not see digitalization as a threat. “If used in the right direction, digitalization can be a great opportunity rather than a threat. Over time, I believe the legal and ethical framework of this field will mature,” he said.