University Essay: Social Media's Impact on Violent Extremism

This essay investigates the significant role of social media in the rise of violent extremism, examining its impact through a psychological lens and aligning with the principles of Catholic social teaching. It explores how the rapid dissemination of information on social media platforms contributes to violence and aggression, highlighting the importance of mindful media consumption and appropriate surveillance. The essay discusses the psychological trauma caused by social media content and the role of psychologists in managing behavior and shaping social policy. It emphasizes the potential of counseling in changing perceptions and contributing to the common good. The essay references several studies that support its claims, underscoring the need for understanding human behavior to address the challenges posed by social media's influence on violent extremism.

Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
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1SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
The rise of social media in the past decades has certainly reached the point where it plays
a form of necessity to the human being. According to several researchers, it is considered as one
of the primary cause for the growth of violent extremism. Several incidents show the way social
media is a contributing factor to the rising violent extremism (Kruglanski et al., 2014). In the
same discourse, the paper will discuss the way social media and the rise of violent extremism is
related to each other along with the way professionals psychologists can indulge in eliminating
the problem.
According to Catholic social teaching, human dignity is the condition that sees every
person equally and as unique individuals. By doing so, it means that every individual deserves to
be treated with respect and integrity. No person can treat each other with unequally and claim to
be abiding by the Catholic rules (Thomas Massaro, 2015). Every human being is a representation
of God in their own way. Thus, disrespecting any human being or lacking integrity is a sign of
disrespect to God. As a result, when the goal is excessive profit, it is against Catholic Social
Teaching. This is a reflection of the human being lacking integrity and honesty to a certain
extent. People who pay more than the required amount to cater for the profit are a human being,
and these people deserve to be treated with an equal amount of human integrity and honesty.
Many reasons people accuse social media playing a vital reason for the rise of violent extremism
(Guitián, 2015).
It is the fact that news travels faster in social media than through any other forms of
media that is the core reason for developing violence. The usage of social media in the
contemporary era has reached an extent from where it is not only difficult but impossible to turn.
It is only through being mindful and careful of the news that is presented by media. Also, it is

2SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
essential for the media to have appropriate surveillance on the news that is exposed to the
population.
Violence and aggression are often the consequences of such incidents. Violence is a
central concept that describes the social relationship among humans. It is a concept that is loaded
with political and ethical significance. However, in psychology, it is perceived to danger for
human beings. Psychological violence is mostly inter-related with physical violence as well as
verbal violence. The psychological trauma caused due to the social media’s content may result in
changes in the behavior too (Patton et al., 2014).
Many psychologists approve that there are several cases where they are needed to
manage behavior conduct. Psychologists have the scope of contributing to society in various
ways. Psychologists are the professionals who are specialized in understanding the human mind
and behavior. The primary way through which this profession can be helpful is through
providing counseling. There are various reasons psychologists understand the way people learn,
interpret and make decisions. Through this skill, they hold the vital position of changing people’s
perception. Through the help of counseling, they are able to make a difference in people’s
perception. It is through this step that they contribute to society and bringing the common good.
Also, psychology and social policy are intersecting factors. By understanding human minds and
human behavior pattern, they are helpful in shaping social policy. The recent researches on
psychology help in limiting the government’s interference with individual choice. Policies and
institutions are like social security, healthcare, public educations and the correctional system. In
all the places, it is the psychologists that play a vital role. Through shaping all the policies and
contributing in the same, they make the significant change which results in the common good
(Mitchell et al., 2015).

3SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Social media is considered as one of the primary cause for the growth of violent
extremism. According to Catholic social teaching, human dignity is the condition that sees every
person equally and as unique individuals. Counseling is one of the way, psychologists are able to
make the most of their capabilities and work towards common goods. As discussed above,
through shaping all the policies and contributing in the same, they make the significant change
which results in the common good.

4SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
References:
Guitián, G. (2015). Service as a bridge between ethical principles and business practice: A
Catholic social teaching perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 128(1), 59-72.
Kruglanski, A. W., Gelfand, M. J., Bélanger, J. J., Sheveland, A., Hetiarachchi, M., &
Gunaratna, R. (2014). The psychology of radicalization and deradicalization: How
significance quest impacts violent extremism. Political Psychology, 35, 69-93.
Mitchell, R. R., Tingstrom, D. H., Dufrene, B. A., Ford, W. B., & Sterling, H. E. (2015). The
effects of the good behavior game with general-education high school students. School
Psychology Review, 44(2), 191-207.
Patton, D. U., Hong, J. S., Ranney, M., Patel, S., Kelley, C., Eschmann, R., & Washington, T.
(2014). Social media as a vector for youth violence: A review of the literature. Computers
in Human Behavior, 35, 548-553.
Thomas Massaro, S. J. (2015). Living justice: Catholic social teaching in action. Rowman &
Littlefield.