Why People Easily Write Hateful Comments on Social Media

A psychologist has explained the reasons why people easily write hateful and unempathetic comments on social media, following a case where several healthcare workers mocked a patient who later died. Dini Yuliati Kurniati, a clinical psychologist and consultant, stated that this behaviour can be influenced by the online disinhibition effect, a phenomenon where individuals feel bolder, more impulsive, or more aggressive in cyberspace because they are not interacting face-to-face. “When speaking face-to-face, we can see the expressions of sadness or disappointment from the other person. But on social media, that emotional feedback is not visible, so empathy decreases more easily,” Dini said when contacted on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

She added that momentary emotions such as annoyance, anger, disappointment, or hatred can also drive someone to write comments impulsively without thinking. This condition is reinforced by social media algorithms that often display content provoking negative emotions because it attracts more attention and interaction from users. Furthermore, the bandwagon effect plays a significant role. When a person sees many others insulting someone in the comments section, they may feel encouraged to join in, considering such behaviour to be the group norm.

Dini highlighted that the impact of hate comments varies from person to person. While some can ignore them, others may experience significant psychological distress, especially if the attacks are repeated, carried out by many people, or target personal aspects such as self-worth. “In the case of individuals who are already suffering from a physical illness, attacks in the form of hate comments can severely affect their psychological condition,” she said. Common consequences include a decline in self-esteem, where victims begin to believe the repeated negative comments and feel worthless. Victims may also experience shame and choose to withdraw, reducing their social media activity, avoiding real-world interactions, or even isolating themselves. To avoid writing malicious comments, Dini advises users not to respond immediately when emotions are high and to take a pause before posting to assess whether the comment is constructive or merely a means of venting emotion.