Psychologist Highlights Moral Concerns of Pocong Terror Content Creators and Spreaders

The phenomenon of viral pocong videos and issues on social media is not only linked to hoaxes and public anxiety but also involves moral considerations by those creating and sharing the content. Psychologist and Professor at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Psychology, Rose Mini Agoes Salim, said individuals should consider the social impact before uploading content that could incite fear or public panic. “This is what needs attention. They already know the impact on others,” Rose said. She added that content creators should not only think about whether their posts will gain views but also consider the moral and educational value of the content. “People using their abilities to post on social media should consider the impact: does this educate people, or does it relate to human capacity to distinguish right from wrong—known as morality?” Rose explained. She stressed that moral and educational aspects should be key considerations before posting on social media. “What is the moral aspect, and is there an educational value to uploading this? That must be considered,” she added. Rose noted that society tends to be drawn to content that induces fear and curiosity. “When people read frightening news or see videos, they typically feel fear, discomfort, tension, and so on,” Rose said. However, this fear often drives people to seek out similar content. “But strangely, they usually seek it out—that’s why horror films are frequently watched, due to people’s curiosity,” she said. Rose stated that viral content is often crafted to attract public attention. “The creators have intentions. Everyone wants their content to go viral,” she said. She also mentioned that in general social media phenomena, virality is often linked to economic gains.