11/18/2025
Anger is the most "viral" emotion online (Especially during holidays)
We don't know much about online anger besides that it's common and really bad for you.
1) It relaxes people (in the short-run)
Data shows that 100% of frequent internet ranters reported feeling calm and relaxed after posting on a rant-site. That said, we know that such benefits are only short-term and, in the long run, people who rant online (or in person) suffer for it. In fact, in this same study, we found that frequent ranters were angrier then the average person and expressed their anger in a more negative way than the average person. So, even though it relaxes people in the short-run, it’s bad for you in the long-run (especially it increases your cortisol level...)
2) People do it often and there are consequences
46% of Twitter users say they often vent anger. Additionally, 37% of them hope the person or group they are tweeting about will read their tweet. Finally, venting online like this has consequences with 9% of participants reporting that, in the last month, they have gotten into an argument they regretted and 3% saying they lost a friend due to something they posted.
3) Anger spreads faster than other emotions
70 million of emotional “tweets” were categorized to see which were more likely to be shared. They found that while happy tweets were shared by close relationships, angry tweets were shared by both close and distant relationships. It is highly probably that anger is the most "viral" emotion.
We have a problematic and contagious behavior. It feels good and safe (removed) so people do it often even though it’s bad for them in the long-run. Are we becoming a passive agressive mass thinking it is ok?
Avoiding this online-anger trap (because it has a cost):
1) Ask yourself why the need to post angry: Are you hoping to change someone’s mind? Are you trying to offend people? Is it just to vent? Make sure you are aware of the end result you are hoping for. If you are just trying to offend or to vent, you may want to rethink it.
2) Wait. Emotions are usually short-lived and if you can wait them out, your anger will start to dissipate and you’ll likely make a better decision about what to write (if anything).
3) Have it read by someone else you trust. If you decide to go ahead and post, it may be helpful to have someone read it first. If that person is removed enough from the situation, he or she might be able to offer some much needed perspective, tell you if it sounds rude.
4) Finally, don’t respond online. If you are angry at a particular person for something, consider talking to them about it in person. An online post is sometimes the easy way out. It’s what people rely on when they don’t want to deal with consequences, nor have to have an in-person and uncomfortable conversation with someone.
Article excerpt by Dr. Ryan Martin, PhD, 2025 (Psychology Today)
