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Have you ever ever requested somebody how their day was, or been chatting casually with a pal, solely to have them let you know a horrific story that has left you feeling distressed or emotionally exhausted your self?
That is referred to as “trauma dumping.” It is when somebody shares one thing traumatic or distressing with out checking in first if the individual they’re speaking to has the capability or willingness to tackle that info.
Trauma dumping just isn’t new, and you have in all probability skilled it (or inadvertently finished it your self) for the duration of your life.
However now, with the rise of social media platforms resembling TikTok, the chance of experiencing trauma dumping has elevated exponentially.
Folks usually flip to TikTok for help or validation. And since TikTok’s algorithm relies on consideration, it isn’t unusual for extremely emotional tales to collect traction and go viral.
My colleagues and I wished to grasp extra about trauma dumping on TikTok. In a latest examine, we discovered folks usually share their trauma on TikTok. And that is often finished and not using a set off warning.
TikTok and psychological well being
It is estimated round 75% of the inhabitants have skilled a traumatic occasion sooner or later of their lives. This might embody publicity to abuse or neglect in childhood, violence, pure disasters, the dying of a beloved one, or another occasion which is sudden, distressing, and causes long-term impacts on bodily or psychological well being.
TikTok might be an essential supply of help and validation, particularly for younger individuals who have confronted trauma, and who might not have adequate help offline.
Earlier analysis has proven TikTok offers a platform for speaking about issues like physique picture issues, searching for help and details about gender and sexual variety, and tackling stigma.
However whereas TikTok is usually a excellent spot for neighborhood, help and validation, on the identical time it may be a hotbed for trauma dumping.
Importantly, sharing trauma on social media runs the chance of exposing different customers to vicarious traumatization, which is when an individual is traumatized by another person’s trauma.
Vicarious trauma is commonest in individuals who work in “frontline” jobs, resembling paramedics or therapists, who cope with trauma frequently. Nevertheless, anybody might be in danger. Components together with private experiences, character traits (resembling empathy), help programs and coping methods all play a job in whether or not somebody may expertise vicarious trauma.
In our examine, we got down to discover the highest movies on TikTok with a number of of 5 hashtags associated to trauma: #traumatok, #trauma, #traumatized, #traumatic and #traumabond.
We regarded essentially the most considered 50 movies from every hashtag. On the time we carried out our evaluation in December 2022, these 250 movies had a complete of 296.6 million likes, 2.3 million feedback and 4.6 million shares.
#TraumaTok
We discovered the vast majority of movies (about 67%) have been from folks sharing their trauma. In lots of circumstances extreme trauma was mentioned, together with little one maltreatment, violence and dying.
Our examine additionally confirmed some movies (about 22%) have been from individuals who claimed to be “experts” in trauma. They have been utilizing the platform to discuss the signs and therapy for trauma-related psychological well being situations.
Worryingly, most “experts” (84%) didn’t disclose their credentials. And solely a small proportion (2%) mentioned they have been licensed psychologists, counselors or medical professionals (who’re skilled to supply evidence-based therapy or recommendation for psychological well being).
The remaining movies have been both extra normal psychological well being content material with a mixture of hashtags resembling “anxiety” and “depression,” or have been meant to be humorous, utilizing memes or jokes about trauma.
Probably the most regarding issues we present in our examine was that solely 3.7% of movies had some type of set off warning. A set off warning, usually a verbal assertion by the creator, textual content throughout the video or a caption, is supposed to alert the viewers that doubtlessly distressing content material is mentioned within the video.
One of many limitations of our examine was that we did not take a look at customers’ experiences of viewing these movies. We additionally did not discover discourse on the app, resembling feedback and video replies.
We will not say for certain what it is like for folks, particularly younger folks or folks with lived expertise of trauma, to look at and work together with these movies. Exploring this could be a magnet for future analysis.
Set off warnings are essential
None of that is to say that sharing tales, even traumatic ones, ought to by no means occur. In truth, we all know help from others is crucial for therapeutic from trauma. This may be facilitated, amongst different avenues, via sharing tales on social media.
However to make this safer for everybody, TikTok ought to encourage set off warnings, and creators ought to use them on movies the place trauma is shared. This can provide customers the choice to “opt out” and scroll on in the event that they suppose they won’t have the capability to hear at the moment.
For folks consuming movies on TikTok and different platforms, it is essential to be cautious of misinformation and suppose critically in regards to the info they see, searching for additional recommendation from different sources.
For those who really feel distressed by content material you see on social media, search help from a health-care skilled.
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