Understanding the Psychology Behind Celebrity Criticism on Social Media: Are Boredom and Insecurities Driving Defamation?

Understanding the Psychology Behind Celebrity Criticism on Social Media: Are Boredom and Insecurities Driving Defamation?

Question from a reader:
Are the people who criticize celebrities on X just bored individuals?

Reflecting on Online Defamation Issues

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in voices criticizing celebrities on social media and forums. The content often borders on defamation, and honestly, I find it quite shocking at times. Observing this phenomenon makes me wonder why some people become
so fixated on others. For instance, when I heard that the defamatory emails sent to Hori Chiemi were sent by just four obsessive individuals, I couldn’t help but laugh. To think that four people could generate over 10,000 emails—how much free time do they have?

Boredom and Obsessive Behavior

Of course, there are certainly people who are bored. However, I believe that many of these individuals might be dealing with some sort of psychological issues rather than just being idle. Such behavior can sometimes stem from low self-esteem or jealousy towards others. In fact, when I started working at a judicial scrivener’s office, I once discussed with a colleague, “Why do people attack others?” He suggested that it might be because they feel unfulfilled in their own lives, and by attacking others, they try to make themselves feel more significant. This perspective definitely made sense to me.

My Part-time Job Experience

Working part-time at a judicial scrivener’s office allows me to interact with a variety of people. One day, a client came into the office and passionately shared his worries. He mentioned that while he posts his opinions on social media, he is always met with critical comments, which leaves him bewildered. Listening to him, I found myself empathizing and thinking, “I understand how you feel.”

In Conclusion

The issue of online defamation seems to stem not only from bored individuals but also from deeper psychological backgrounds. I, too, may criticize others for various reasons. Therefore, I feel it is essential to take a moment to reflect on others’ actions instead of simply criticizing them. So, what do you all think? If you have any memories or experiences regarding online defamation, I would love for you to share them in the comments. By sharing our feelings, we may gain a deeper understanding of one another.