Transcript For

Transcript for How the Election Is Tearing Friends, Family Apart on Social Media
We've all seen the tension reflected in our own Facebook feeds. Friend, relative,
even couples divided. That anger could spill over into real life. One thing we can all
agree on this election is getting personal. I think she should be ashamed of herself.
He lives in an alternative reality. Reporter: The increasingly negative tone of the
presidential election isn't just playing out in the political arena. But also among
family and friends. My dad and I would basically get into huge rants. Reporter: So
far this year on Facebook alone over 100 million people have been sharing their
thoughts about the campaign. Frequently fueling animosity online. I almost have no
filter. That's my problem. Reporter: Which is exactly what's happened between 25-
year-old Democrat Tianna Henry Republican parents. I tend to get really upset and
really I think sad morethan anything. I really at this point couldn't disagree any
more with my parents. You can't have it when things are hurtful. I made her cry
before but by saying different things. Reporter: Their family relationship getting
increasingly rocky after both sides refused to dial down their political positions on
social media. Saying things like, you disgust me and I expect better. Just a few
examples of the comments that upset and enraged both sides. I warned him
several times and eventually I blocked him and he got really upset and really angry.
Several times she's blocked me and after we patch and make things up and I
promise not to post on her side again, but we do a little bit of finger pointing
because I always say she posts on mine first. Once you do that you're fair game. It's
not surprising that families and friends are getting into feuds on social media. A lot
of conversations that used to happen say around the dinner table are now being
moved to online. People feel more comfortable talking online. Reporter: To save
their family they've chosen to work through their differences so they're still on
speaking terms and they've decided to no longer talk about the elephant or donkey
in the room. When push comes to shove we're still family. All right, so more now,
psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo is joining us. First, well K why do you think in your
opinion so many are turning to social media to rant about this election? Yes, so
there's a lot of stress right now. The candidates themselves are attacking each
other. Their character as opposed to the policies. That increases our stress as we
watch that. We're also feeling more powerless. There's a study that came out of
Chapman university that found the number one fear in the U.S. Is a corrupt
government. So we're kneeling powerless to try to address our stress, to try to
have more control people are going to social media and exhibiting what I call
conditional self-worth. Conditional self-worth -- What is ha. I believe in myself if -- I
believe myself if I'm better than you so I'll put you down or if you agree with me
and they try to feel better about themselves to try to address their stress. Do you
think it's easier to type than talk. It is and you say different things when you're
typing when you're not looking at someone face-to-face than you ever would if you
were looking at them. I agree at that and believe there's anonymity that allows to
you be bolder and sometimes meaner. What do you do if you're on the receiving
end of this kind of rant. The first thing to do is to ask yourself, you know, what's my
motivation? What is my motivation here. If someone is attacking you, simply ignore
it. Don't engage with them. And don't engage at all and but if you have a point to
make and you feel this sort of anger bubbling up, take a breath. Ask yourself your
motivation. Am I trying to put someone down or am I trying to share what I'm
passionate about, okay, be civil, if you wouldn't say it in person, don't say it online.
That's a simple rule. Exactly. And, remember, you know, the more you engage with
someone on Facebook the higher priority they are on your page so don't engage.
You can always unfriend. You can always mute on Twitter until after the election.
Maybe don't block your dad. I don't know. This is real. We have a staffer who said
his family is broken apart over this. That it's very divisive. It can be. So I think you're
right, take a beat, be civil. Very simple sage advice. Remember that these people
who are ranting and raving, it's their own attempt to feel better about themselves
so if you take a step back, you can gain a psychological perspective. Great advice.
Coming up, secrets behind
t
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/election-tearing-friends-family-social-media-42766882

Transcript For

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Transcript For

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Transcript For

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Transcript for How the Election Is Tearing Friends, Family Apart on Social Media

You might also like