What Are They Really Posting About?— A Counsellor’s Reflection

 

As a counsellor, and perhaps more keenly as a human observer, I often find myself reflecting on some patterns we see in digital spaces. One such pattern is hard to ignore: the chronic posters.

You’ve seen them — people who post 10 to 15 updates a day about political drama, wars, global leaders, or social injustice. “Israel did this, Trump did that, Modi failed here…” And so on. Strangely, no one seems to respond. No likes. No comments. No debates. And yet — they keep going, day after day, as if they are reporting for a newsroom that doesn’t exist.

I used to wonder — what do they get out of it?

It’s not journalism. It’s not activism. Most of them aren’t even involved in social or political circles. So what is it?

Over time, through counselling sessions and quiet contemplation, I’ve realized — it’s not about the news. It’s about the need.

The Illusion of Activism

In today’s world, where real action often feels far-fetched, clicking “Share” can momentarily feel like power. I’ve come across people who feel helpless about their own lives — their jobs, relationships, self-worth — but sharing an article about corruption gives them a sense of moral standing. It’s a form of pseudo-activism — loud but often hollow.

Displaced Frustration

I’ve counselled individuals who were furious at international leaders — only to realize, their anger had nothing to do with world politics. It was grief, disappointment, or emotional suffocation in their personal lives. Their social media became a vent, and the world became their punching bag.

The Identity Mask

For some, posting such content is a performance — not for the audience, but for themselves. It says, “I’m educated. I’m aware. I matter.” Even when no one responds, the act of posting maintains their internal image of being relevant. It’s what I sometimes call a digital disguise for emotional invisibility.

The Anxiety Loop

I’ve seen clients who couldn’t stop reading bad news. Then, they started sharing it — not because they thought others didn’t know, but because it helped them release their internal chaos. There’s a term for it: doomscrolling. And when it turns compulsive, it becomes a way to externalize anxiety. Not surprisingly, studies during the pandemic have confirmed this link between constant news exposure and poor mental health (Gao et al., 2020).

Broadcasting in a Silent Room

Many of these people are, at their core, deeply lonely. Their lives might lack meaningful conversations or validation. Social media becomes a radio — and they the announcers. They post not to start a dialogue, but to hear their own voice echo back in digital silence. I call it the "lonely broadcaster syndrome."

So What Do I Do About It?

Sometimes I scroll past in silence. Sometimes I feel a bit of irritation. But mostly, I feel empathy.

Because I know — what looks like noise might actually be a call. A call for purpose. A call for connection. A call for relevance in a world that scrolls too fast.

So no — I don’t see these posts as just “bla bla.” I see them as signs. Not always healthy, not always effective — but deeply human.

References:

• Gao, J., Zheng, P., Jia, Y., et al. (2020). Mental health problems and social media exposure during COVID-19 outbreak. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231924. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231924

• Morozov, E. (2011). The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom. PublicAffairs.

• Freud, S. (1926). Inhibitions, Symptoms and Anxiety.