Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: Digital lynching is not criticism, it is an act of annihilation

With the rise of social media, the culture of lynching has become faster, harsher, and more widespread. Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan clearly distinguishes digital lynching from criticism, stating, “Criticism aims to correct, whereas lynching aims to destroy.”

Accelerated by digitalization, the culture of lynching feeds on individual gratification, a sense of moral superiority, and herd psychology, eroding not only the individuals targeted but also the social conscience. Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated for ensonhaber.com’s Senem Uluhan the destructive effects of digital lynching on individuals and society, as well as possible solutions to counter this process.

According to Tarhan, both psychological and social factors lie at the core of lynching behavior. Those who participate in lynching often feel morally superior, which provides them with short term psychological satisfaction. However, during this process, they lose the ability to assess whether the other party is actually right or not.

Ego gratification through discrediting

Emphasizing that digitalization has accelerated this process, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “There is an inner guard within a person’s conscience. The digital world has silenced this inner guard,” highlighting how social media weakens moral barriers.

Tarhan explained that during the lynching process, dopamine and oxytocin are released simultaneously in the brain, describing this as a “dark glue.” In group lynchings especially, the sense of pleasure increases, and individuals feel stronger as part of the crowd.

He noted that lynching behavior is often observed in individuals with low self confidence and emotional voids. People with strong egos, he said, do not immediately give in to calls for lynching but first analyze the situation. Tarhan also emphasized the role of herd psychology, referred to as the “bandwagon effect,” in lynching, adding that organized trolls consciously exploit this effect.

Stating that individuals exposed to lynching frequently experience post traumatic stress disorder and long term depression, Tarhan warned that in some cases the process can escalate to suicide. For this reason, he stressed that victims of lynching should develop proper communication strategies and seek professional support if necessary.

Legal protection in a digital minefield

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan likened the digital world to a minefield filled with traps, emphasizing that those who wish to navigate it must take precautions. Rather than opposing digitalization, he highlighted the importance of managing it, saying, “When a flood comes, you do not stand against it; you hold on to a log and move toward your goal accordingly,” suggesting that the digital world should be approached with the same awareness.

Tarhan also underlined that legal regulations have become essential to protect children and young people. He stressed that increasing transparency in social media and artificial intelligence algorithms is critical in combating lynch culture.

Reminding that digital footprints do not disappear, Tarhan noted that posts made in the past can resurface years later.

Finally, he stated that digitalization is not a threat but an opportunity when managed properly, adding that with conscious individuals and strong legal frameworks, this process can be grounded on a healthy foundation.

ensonhaber.com