Onlookers and Mob Psychology

David Simms, Senior Contributor

In most internet stalking or harassment cases there are three parties involved: the perpetrator, the victim, and the onlooker. When someone is the target of cyber harassment, they can feel violated and helpless against their attacker.  But the suffering can be intensified if the victim is aware others are viewing what is happening and do nothing to help. So in addition to the pain they already feel, the sense of abandonment a victim feels can be all it takes to push them to suicide. Some onlookers may not want to become involved for fear of becoming a target themselves or may feel inadequate in what help they could bring.  Many times onlookers believe nobody is aware they are even there and can therefore observe without feeling guilty for not helping the situation. 

The great irony is that onlookers become part of the equation through observing it, even though they usually want no part in it.  In certain cases onlookers may join forces with the perpetrator to help dish out punishment to the victim. People who do this either participate because they discover they won’t be held accountable for their actions by law enforcement or are convinced by false perceptions that they are participating in a righteous act ordained by God, punishing the wicked. In any circumstance, it can quickly transform into mob-like behaviour where a victim suffers at the hands of many. Mob psychology is such that an outside attempt to change the prevailing view will be unsuccessful. If questioned about their actions, regardless of their irrationality, the mob will defend and justify their activity. Individual components of the mob are weak and directionless however in a group they have inertia. Individuals in the mob are expected to go along with what is collectively believed. Nazi Germany is a classic example. 

Mobs are innately dumb and easily controlled once they are convinced of a reality, regardless of its credibility. It is obvious that mobs in relation to a cyber harassment campaign can be one of the most reckless and ruinous entities there is.

Psychological online terrorism.

By Abigail Clarke: Contributing Content Blogger 

I'll have a go at a tough topic. It's a bit hard for most of us to understand what delights online abusers to such an extreme, most of us not being sadistic enough to relate. Psychological terrorism is a term that has much pertinence under the umbrella of cyber hate or harassment. The people who get high on this kind of online terrorism feel a sense of godfulness I suppose whilst playing with the personal details and emotions of their target’s life. I think they indeed do believe themselves supreme to others.

The cyber terrorist usually operates from the position they'll be revealing extremely humiliating and damaging information about their victim. This type of harassment is seen associated in proper form with social engineering and cousin, mobbing. In order to achieve dominance over a victim, the psychoterrorist needs the participation of others to complete the illusion that what is being purported is believed and condoned by large numbers of people. Even if there are really only few others involved, they will intentionally leak bits of truth in a taunting way through the use of anonymous tweets or posts to at least give the illusion more people are involved than really are. These people act out in this way to overcompensate for an intense lacking of self-worth and importance.

The online terrorist has the opportunity, through anonymity, to pretend they are in an all-powerful position holding superior intellect and skill compared to the victim they are abusing. The laugh were it to be funny is these people are among the most cowardly and insecure individuals one could happen on. The worst situation a psychological terrorist fears is being identified and exposed. For if they were, they would have to face the pathetic reality of who they really are. Recognising these people for what they are is important but preventing them from carrying out their deeds is even more so isn't it? I'd like to know from the social media outlets housing these people and allowing their behaviours, just what do you plan to do about this and why is it taking so long?