The newest social media pattern, “sadfishing,” is igniting loads of conversations as customers develop into more and more drawn to “consideration seekers.”
The behavior of “sadfishing” is outlined as “the tendency of social media customers to publish exaggerations of their character to generate sympathy,” in line with a 2021 analysis paper revealed within the Journal of American School.
The analysis discovered that many “sadfishers” show anxious attachment. It concluded that this “will not be triggered by an acute perceived lack of social help, however reasonably, could also be extra strongly associated to the persistent trait of anxious attachment.”
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Don Grant, PhD, nationwide adviser for Wholesome System Administration of Newport Healthcare in Los Angeles, California, informed Fox Information Digital that the phenomenon is nothing new.
The award-winning media psychologist, speaker and revealed researcher stated the pattern got here to nationwide consideration with a marketing campaign that includes Kendall Jenner in 2019, when she posted about her wrestle with zits as a part of her partnership with Proactiv.
![sadfishing trend on TikTok](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/iStock-1481613712.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A social media pattern, “sadfishing,” is when customers draw consideration to themselves by exaggerating their feelings or conditions. It could be rooted in an underlying psychological well being problem, stated one psychologist and speaker. (iStock)
“This particular person is placing one thing, you understand, that is type of imprecise or sounds, frankly, a little bit ominous or one thing unhappy,” he stated about at this time’s “sadfishing.”
Grant stated that in the beginning and finish of his shows, he proposes questions.
“My associates who’re near me know what is going on on with me. They know what my day by day life is,” he stated.
“If you’re placing something on social media, what’s your motivation for what you want or need folks to know who will not be in your shut circle? What’s your cause for posting? What’s your motivation for posting one thing for the entire world [to see]?”
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Grant stated that for “sadfishers,” it’s case-dependent and will be regarding.
“If it is persistent, then completely. I could not faux to know or guess what it’s for everyone,” he stated.
“However I’d say it is undoubtedly a cry for one thing.”
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Don Grant, PhD, a media psychologist, speaker and revealed researcher, informed Fox Information Digital that “sadposting” is a “cry for one thing.” (Newport Well being)
He stated the manifestation might be an actual analysis. On different events, it might be a one-off and be fueled by ingesting or being underneath the affect, which wouldn’t draw an excessive amount of concern, he stated.
Grant stated he is had firsthand expertise in seeing posts by folks that may trigger alarm.
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“We’ve seen [sadfishing posts] that we have really needed to make calls and do welfare checks [about],” he stated. “These of us who know the particular person or their colleague — we do a welfare verify on that as a result of it is so regarding.”
Grant stated he has seen “sadfishing” happen throughout many age teams and platforms, however that there’s selection within the depth of it, relying on the platform used.
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On some platforms, it is “extra static, which means it is only a put up versus one thing like TikTok, the place you’ll be able to [post] movies. A number of the movies are much more chilling. For those who simply see a put up and it is a phrase or two with photos, or it is somebody saying they’re unhappy …that is exhausting sufficient,” he stated.
“However when you could have a video-based social media platform, you’ll be able to see them, you’ll be able to hear the cadence of the [person’s] voice. It’s extremely dramatic. That is extra impacting.”
![Sixty-two percent of 18- to 29-year-olds say they use TikTok. That's much higher than the share among adults ages 65 years and older, at 10%, according to a Pew Research Center survey.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/iStock-1354022389.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Sixty-two % of 18- to 29-year-olds say they use TikTok. That is a lot larger than the share amongst adults ages 65 years and older, at 10%, in line with a Pew Analysis Heart survey. (iStock)
Pew Analysis Heart discovered that the youngest U.S. adults are much more doubtless to make use of Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok versus different platforms.
“I’d suggest that these could be extra skewed towards youthful generations as a result of the older generations and positively the digital immigrants aren’t actually creators, prolifically on TikTok and even on Instagram,” he stated.
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Sixty-two % of 18- to 29-year-olds say they use TikTok. That is a lot larger than the share amongst adults ages 65 years and older at 10%, in line with the Pew Analysis Heart survey.
Some social media customers took to X, previously generally known as Twitter, to share their impressions of the pattern.
“It is attention-seeking habits, however might come from actual nervousness or despair,” one girl surmised.
!["Real-life connection to me is the antidote for just about any problem," said one psychologist, speaker and author.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/3c859f32-2-UP-split-thumb-copy-2.png?ve=1&tl=1)
“Actual-life connection to me is the antidote for nearly any downside,” stated one psychologist, speaker and writer. (iStock)
“I do know various individuals who do that,” stated one other person.
“‘Sadfishing’? That is mainly being an adolescent/younger grownup, lol,” one person posted.
“Folks don’t have real-life associates … and are available right here for faux consideration from sob tales,” one other particular person commented.
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Grant stated social media “generally is a nice connector,” however he would not assume it must be “the first connector.”
He stated rebuilding social relationships in particular person and talking with psychological well being professionals are the neatest options to publicly sharing “sob tales.”
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For those who see a put up that makes you anxious a few liked one, decide up the cellphone and provides the particular person a name, Grant steered.
“Actual-life connection to me is the antidote for nearly any downside,” he stated.