Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is social media outrage a positive force in society?
Position2 of 3

Social media outrage is bad

This position holds that social media outrage is a negative force. It argues outrage culture can ruin innocent lives through 'trial by social media,' chill free speech, fuel polarisation, spread fake news, and dilute attention from the issues that genuinely matter.

Supporting arguments · 6

  1. Social media outrage facilitates fake news
    Social media outrage aids and facilitates the spread of false information
  2. The merging of domains
    Social media outrages cause all the domains of a person's existence to blend into one.
  3. Trial by social media
    In the legal system, the accused is innocent until proven guilty. When someone is swept up in social media outrage, they are afforded no such luxury.
  4. Social media outrage is polarizing
    Polarization in society is deepening and social media outrage is partly to blame.
  5. Social media outrage dilutes real issues
    The ending of Game of Thrones can prompt as much outrage as a school shooter.
  6. Social media outrage obstructs free speech
    Social media users self-censor to avoid becoming the target of social media outrage.