Trial by social media : After Kerala tragedy, UAE experts warn trial by social media undermines justice and harms mental health. Learn why online accusations are dangerous and what we can do better.
What Happened in Kerala: A Tragic Story
A heartbreaking incident in Kerala, India, has sparked an important discussion about how we use social media to accuse and judge people. UAE experts are now warning about the dangers of what they call “trial by social media.”
The Viral Video
Earlier this month, a 35-year-old woman identified as S.M. posted a video online. In the video, she accused a man of touching her inappropriately on a bus. She said the man had molested her.
The video spread quickly across social media platforms. Thousands of people watched it. Many people became angry at the man and criticized him harshly in the comments.
A Terrible Outcome
Two days after the video went viral, something tragic happened. The man who was accused committed suicide.
His friends and family said he denied the accusations. They claimed he was innocent and had done nothing wrong. They believe the public shaming and online attacks drove him to take his own life.
The family accused S.M. of posting the video to gain followers and become famous, rather than to seek real justice.
Legal Consequences
The woman who posted the video never filed a formal complaint with the police when the incident supposedly happened. She only posted it on social media.
Now, Kerala police have arrested S.M. She is facing charges of abetment to suicide, which means helping or causing someone to kill themselves. She is currently under judicial custody, which means she’s being held while the legal process continues.
Why This Story Matters
This tragic case shows what can happen when people use social media to accuse others instead of going through proper legal channels. It raises important questions about online justice and responsibility.
UAE experts say this incident demonstrates why trial by social media is so dangerous and why we need to be more careful about what we post and share online.
What Is Trial by Social Media
Trial by social media happens when people judge and condemn someone online before any court or legal process has determined what actually happened.
How It Works
Instead of going to the police or court, someone posts accusations on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. The post spreads quickly, and thousands of people see it.
People who see the post make their own judgments based only on what they read or watch. They don’t wait to hear the full story or see any evidence. They decide someone is guilty right away.
Then they share the post, leave angry comments, and sometimes even send threatening messages to the accused person.
Why People Do It
There are several reasons why people turn to social media instead of the legal system:
Faster Response: Courts can be slow. Social media provides instant attention and reaction.
Seeking Support: Victims sometimes feel that posting online will get them support and belief from others.
Frustration with Justice: Some people don’t trust that the legal system will help them, so they try to get justice through public opinion instead.
Desire for Attention: Unfortunately, some people post dramatic accusations to gain followers, likes, and online fame.
The Problem with This Approach
Professor Aryaan Asad Lalani, who teaches law and politics at Middlesex University Dubai, explains the fundamental problem with social media justice.
“One of the most essential elements of due process is the principle of innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “That does not exist in the court of public opinion.”
This means that in a real court, we assume someone is innocent until evidence proves they’re guilty. On social media, people assume someone is guilty immediately, without any evidence or investigation.
Why Social Media Justice Doesn’t Work
UAE experts explain several reasons why trying to get justice through social media is problematic and dangerous.
Only Half the Story
Professor Lalani points out that people on social media “tend to look at polarizing evidence” and only see “half of the story.”
When someone posts an accusation, they show their side of what happened. The accused person might have a completely different version of events, but people don’t wait to hear it.
Imagine if someone accused you of something you didn’t do. Wouldn’t you want a chance to explain your side before everyone decided you were guilty?
No Real Investigation
In a proper legal process, trained investigators look for evidence. They interview witnesses, check facts, and gather proof before making any decisions.
On social media, none of this happens. People make judgments based on a single video or post without knowing if it’s even true.
The Algorithm Problem
Social media algorithms (the computer programs that decide what posts you see) make things worse.
“The way the social media algorithm creates a narrative that revolves around a specific view” means you might only see posts that support one side of the story, Professor Lalani explains.
If you believe the accusation, the algorithm shows you more posts agreeing with you. If you support the accused person, you see different posts. Everyone ends up in their own bubble, convinced they’re right.
Permanent Damage
Even when someone is later found innocent, the damage from online accusations can be irreversible.
“Online accusations can become a form of punishment without any legal basis,” Professor Lalani said. Once something is posted online, it stays there forever.
Years later, people can still find old accusations when they search someone’s name. This can ruin job opportunities, relationships, and reputations, even if the person was proven innocent.
No Legal Protections
In a real court, there are rules to protect both the accuser and the accused. Lawyers make sure evidence is real. Judges ensure the process is fair. There are appeals if mistakes are made.
Social media has none of these protections. Anyone can say anything about anyone, and it spreads instantly to millions of people.
The Mental Health Impact of Online Shaming
Becoming the target of online accusations and public shaming doesn’t just hurt someone’s reputation. It can severely damage their mental health and even lead to tragic outcomes, as happened in the Kerala case.
What Experts Say
Asra Sarwar, a clinical psychologist at Aster Clinics, explains that mass online condemnation has a “profound psychological impact” on people.
“Human beings are wired to seek social acceptance,” she said. When thousands of people reject and attack someone online, it goes against our basic need to be accepted by others.
The Stress Response
“Public shaming and sustained negative attention often trigger intense stress responses,” Sarwar explains.
Imagine thousands of strangers calling you terrible names, saying they hate you, and wishing bad things would happen to you. This creates enormous psychological pressure.
The stress from this kind of online attack is similar to other severe traumatic experiences. It’s not just “being sensitive” or “taking things too personally”—it’s a genuine mental health crisis.
Erosion of Self-Worth
“Over time, this can erode self-worth and create feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” Sarwar said.
When someone faces constant online attacks, they start to believe what people are saying about them. They feel worthless and like there’s no way to escape the situation.
Risk of Suicide
These feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are “well-established psychological risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation,” according to Sarwar.
In simple terms, being attacked online can make people so depressed that they think about or attempt suicide, as tragically happened in the Kerala case.
Why People Join in Attacks
You might wonder why so many people participate in online shaming. Psychologist Sarwar explains that it’s driven by “group psychology and reduced accountability.”
Feeling Morally Right: “When a story evokes moral outrage, people often align themselves with the dominant narrative to feel part of the ‘right side’,” she said. People want to feel like they’re fighting for justice, even when they don’t know all the facts.
Anonymity Makes It Easier: “Anonymity and physical distance weaken empathy, making people more aggressive online than they would be in person.”
Behind a screen, people say things they would never say face-to-face. They forget there’s a real person on the receiving end who can be hurt by their words.
How Social Media Algorithms Make Things Worse
The way social media platforms are designed can accidentally turn small accusations into massive public trials.
Rewarding Extreme Reactions
Sarwar noted that social media platforms “can unintentionally reward extreme reactions.”
“Likes, shares and algorithmic amplification can shift the focus from accountability to virality,” she explained.
This means posts that make people really angry or upset get more attention. The algorithm promotes them because they get lots of clicks and shares.
From Justice to Entertainment
When a post goes viral, people stop caring about whether it’s true or fair. They care about being part of the trending topic.
“This escalates situations into public trials without safeguards for accuracy, proportionality or psychological harm,” Sarwar said.
The accused person becomes entertainment rather than a human being who deserves fair treatment.
Half-Truth Stories Spread Faster
Posts that tell only one side of a story, or that include shocking claims, spread much faster than boring, balanced information.
So even if the truth comes out later, fewer people will see it. The dramatic accusation will always be more visible than the quiet correction.
The Permanence Problem
Professor Lalani pointed out “the permanence of digital footprints and the resurfacing of posts or videos years after they are shared.”
Even if accusations are proven false, they remain searchable online. Someone can find them ten years later and still judge the person based on false information.
What We Can Do Better
Both experts acknowledge that social media can sometimes help genuine victims who feel the justice system won’t listen to them. However, they emphasize the importance of using social media responsibly.
Think Before You Post
If something bad happens to you, pause before posting it online. Ask yourself:
- Have I reported this to the proper authorities?
- Am I posting this to seek justice or to get revenge?
- Could posting this harm someone unfairly?
- Do I have proof of what I’m claiming?
- What are the possible consequences of this post?
Think Before You Share
Before sharing or commenting on someone else’s accusation post, consider:
- Do I know if this is true?
- Have I heard both sides of the story?
- Could my sharing this hurt someone who might be innocent?
- Am I joining in because I’m truly concerned or because everyone else is doing it?
Respect Due Process
“One of the most essential elements of due process is the principle of innocent until proven guilty,” Professor Lalani reminds us.
This means we should let courts and trained investigators determine what really happened before deciding someone is guilty.
“Respecting due process is not silence—it is responsibility,” Sarwar said.
You can still support victims and demand justice without condemning someone before we know the facts.
Exercise Restraint Online
Both experts urged people to be more careful about how they behave on social media.
“Ethical engagement requires empathy and an awareness that online actions have real-world consequences,” Sarwar explained.
What you post, share, or comment online affects real people’s lives. Your words can hurt someone deeply, damage their reputation, or even contribute to tragedy.
When Social Media Can Help
Experts acknowledged that sometimes social media is useful for genuine victims. If police won’t help or if someone has no other way to get support, posting online might be a last resort.
However, this should be done carefully:
- Stick to facts without exaggeration
- Don’t reveal the accused person’s identity if possible
- Seek support without calling for mob justice
- Still report to proper authorities
Restoring Trust in Justice Systems
Professor Lalani stressed that “restoring trust in institutional processes is essential to preventing social media from replacing due process altogether.”
This means governments and legal systems need to work better. They should:
- Take complaints seriously
- Investigate promptly
- Treat victims with respect
- Make the justice process faster and more accessible
If people trust the legal system will help them, they won’t feel the need to seek justice through social media.
Supporting Mental Health
Given the severe psychological impact of online shaming, we need better mental health support for people who become targets of social media attacks.
Schools, workplaces, and communities should teach people:
- How to handle online criticism
- Where to get help if you’re being attacked online
- How to protect your mental health in the digital age
Learning from Tragedy
The Kerala case is a heartbreaking reminder that our online actions have real-world consequences. A man lost his life. A woman faces criminal charges. Families are devastated.
The Real Victims
In situations like this, there are often no winners, only victims:
- If the accusation was true, a victim didn’t get proper justice through the legal system
- If the accusation was false, an innocent man died and his family is grieving
- Either way, lives have been destroyed
A Call for Change
This tragedy should make us all think carefully about how we use social media, especially when it comes to serious accusations.
We need to find a balance between supporting victims and protecting the innocent. We need to remember that behind every post, there are real human beings with feelings, families, and lives that can be destroyed.
Your Responsibility
Every person who uses social media has a responsibility to use it wisely. Before you post, share, or comment:
- Think about the human impact
- Consider whether you’re helping or hurting
- Remember that you don’t know the whole story
- Ask yourself if your actions would make the world better or worse
Final Thoughts
Trial by social media is a growing problem around the world. UAE experts warn that it undermines justice, harms mental health, and can lead to tragic consequences.
Key Takeaways:
- Social media justice often lacks evidence, fairness, and legal protections
- Online accusations can have severe mental health impacts, including suicide risk
- Algorithms reward extreme reactions and spread half-truths faster than facts
- Even innocent people suffer permanent damage from online accusations
- We must respect “innocent until proven guilty” and let proper authorities investigate
- Our online actions have real-world consequences for real people
- Supporting victims doesn’t mean condemning the accused without evidence
The Kerala tragedy reminds us that words have power. What we post online can literally be a matter of life and death.
Let’s use social media to spread kindness, support genuine victims through proper channels, and remember that justice requires fairness, evidence, and humanity—not just clicks and outrage.
As Sarwar wisely said: “Ethical engagement requires empathy and an awareness that online actions have real-world consequences.”
Think before you post. Think before you share. Think before you judge. Lives depend on it.
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Reference By : khaleejtimes.com
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