The Business of Public Shaming

The Courtroom of the Future Has No Rules

The courtroom of the future does not have judges. It does not have laws. It does not even have legitimate evidence most of the time.

Oh, but it does have outrage.

It has millions of people, many of whom don’t know the accused, don’t have all the facts, and don’t care about fairness. They care about clicks. They care about trending topics. They care about taking down their latest target.

This isn’t a dystopian novel or "side effect of social media". It’s real life. It’s what happens on social media every single day.

And what most people don’t realize?

• This system is not broken. It’s designed this way.

The Rise of Digital Lynch Mobs

There was a time when accusations required evidence, investigation, and due process. But in the age of social media, justice is instant, irreversible, and dictated by viral outrage.

One accusation can reach millions before the truth has a chance to fight back or even be revealed.

Unlike real-world courts, social media trials have no rules, no burden of proof, and no path to redemption.

Once you’re labeled guilty, there is no appeal.

This isn’t just mob mentality—it’s considered entertainment. And it’s profitable.

Social Media’s Outrage Economy

Anger, fear, and controversy drive engagement—and engagement drives profit for YouTube, Reddit, Discord, and other platforms.

The more users argue, attack, and cancel others, the more ad revenue social media platforms rake in.

Controversial and hateful posts get promoted by algorithms because they keep people glued to their screens.

Rage clicks = money. And facts don’t make money—drama does.

Again, it is not an accident that cancel culture thrives. It’s by design.

Case Studies: When Digital Mob Justice Gets It Wrong

Sunil Tripathi

A college student wrongly accused of being the Boston Marathon bomber—all because of a Reddit theory. His family endured threats, harassment, and media scrutiny before the truth finally came out. But, it was too late.

Gamergate & Online Witch Hunts

What started as a personal dispute in the gaming world exploded into years of targeted harassment, doxxing, and life-ruining accusations. Careers were destroyed. Reputations were erased. All in the name of internet outrage.

Everyday People, Every Day

It’s not just public figures or high-profile cases. People lose jobs, families, and mental stability because of just one single misinterpreted joke, an old post, or an accusation with no proof required. I am one of these everyday people.

Social media does not care if you are innocent. It only cares if you go viral.

The Psychological Toll: False Awakenings & Anxiety

Digital mob justice does not just destroy reputations—it destroys mental health.

Extreme stress from online harassment can lead to false awakenings—a terrifying psychological state where the brain can’t tell if it’s awake or still trapped in a nightmare. In my recent Newsbreak article, I detailed exactly what this is and how it affects us in real life.

Victims of online shaming develop paranoia, constantly fearing that their past mistakes, their words, or even false accusations will come back to ruin their lives.

As I explained in my Social Media Monsters Book, self-censorship is the new norm—people would rather stay silent than risk saying something that could turn them into the next target.

• Is this justice?
• Or is it a digital execution without rules?

Conclusion: The Internet’s Courtroom Has No Fair Trial

The internet has become the new courtroom. But is it delivering justice, or just entertainment?

As a reminder - social media wasn’t designed for truth. It was designed for profit. And digital lynch mobs are just part of the platform's business plan.

This is exactly what I expose in my book:

Digital Lynch Mobs: How Social Media Became Judge, Jury, and Executioner