Exploring the psychological effects of viewing traumatic images on social media, the chapter discusses the challenges of regulating such content and the potential harm it can cause. It also touches on the unique visibility of violent events on social media, particularly focusing on recent events in Gaza and how continuous exposure to distressing images can lead to vicarious trauma.
For 8 months, images and videos of the carnage in Gaza have been flooding social media. They give a powerful view of what's happening to Palestinians on the ground – but they also have the potential to cause vicarious trauma.
Today – what is vicarious trauma, and why doomscrolling doesn't help.