Community members are warning that the online circulation of violent content is normalising harmful behaviour, influencing young people and undermining the values of respect and dignity in society.
An elderly man who preferred not to be named said social violence existed long before the age of technology, but believes its growing visibility and acceptance online have contributed to its increase.
“This type of social violence has been here even before the age of technology, but the reason it is increasing daily is that people see it as a social norm as it is posted and not talked about as a ‘bad thing’ even though it should be common sense,” he said.
He added that the internet and the freedom people have online have played a significant role in the increase of violent behaviour.
“Social violence is affecting our families and other young people very easily because we are on the internet, natural followers and follow trends that are portrayed as cool or the new norm, and it sort of kills common sense and replaces it with something new that is portrayed as actual common sense,” he said.
