“Psychic numbing” and the limits of empathy
At the same time, constant exposure to online content related to suffering can lead to apathy and inaction from the side of individuals, which is not surprising at all. When Internet users encounter repeated images of massacres and violence, their emotional systems may become overwhelmed. This phenomenon was described by Paul Slovic, who observed that empathy often decreases as the number of victims increases. As he explains:
“A single child fallen down a well or dying of starvation stirs our hearts and moves our hands (and wallets) to action. Yet as soon as the number of victims increases to two, compassion—both affective and behavioral—begins to wane.”
The reason behind this lies in our brain’s coping mechanism, described as “psychic numbing” or “compassion fatigue.” According to this phenomenon, people tend to react more strongly to the suffering of a single identifiable victim while becoming less responsive as the number of victims increases. Rarely do large numbers of victims in catastrophes evoke the emotional involvement necessary to motivate action, paradoxically causing less compassion than individual stories.
However, it is crucial to mention that a response, or its absence, does not necessarily indicate a lack of care or moral indifference. Instead, it can function as a psychological defense mechanism that helps individuals cope with the constant exposure to distressing content; otherwise, the psychological consequences would be severe. If online users experienced the full intensity of empathy toward every single instance of suffering they encounter on the web, they would soon start suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, and overall emotional exhaustion.
How algorithms amplify disturbing content
The algorithms of digital platforms themselves play a crucial role. Social media environments are not neutral spaces where information simply appears; these ecosystems are designed to maximize engagement. Algorithms prioritize content that provokes strong reactions, such as anger, shock, desperation, anxiety, or fear, simply because these emotions tend to keep users scrolling for longer. Consequently, users often encounter disturbing content they might not have been deliberately seeking. A survey conducted by the Youth Endowment Fund in 2024 revealed that 70% of teenagers were exposed to real-world violence on social media platforms. Among them, 25% reported that the content was algorithmically pushed to them rather than intentionally sought. Over time, exposure to distressing content becomes a routine part of everyday life, leaving a mark on young and developing minds.
