GMB viewers criticise ‘sadfishing’ social media trend where people share problems in a bid to get more ‘likes’ – and claim it’s nothing more than ‘whingeing’ online
- GMB debated ‘sadfishing’ – posting personal problems for social media ‘likes’
- Journalist Rebecca Reid highlighted the problem with celebrity sadfishing
- Montana Brown argued there are benefits of publicly sharing her issues
- Viewers slammed the practice, saying it was just like ‘whingeing’ online
Good Morning Britain viewers slammed a social media trend dubbed ‘sadfishing’ after it was discussed on today’s programme.
British journalist Rebecca Reid appeared on the show to debate ‘sadfishing’ – a term coined to describe the phenomenon of people sharing their personal problems on Instagram in an apparent bid to get more ‘likes’ and boost their profile.
Rebecca argued famous people oversharing online could have a detrimental effect on young people, as they might not receive the outpouring of love and support if they were to share their own issues publicly.
However former Love Island star Montana Brown, 23, hit back, claiming that she shared personal problems in the hope of genuinely helping someone else who might be similarly suffering.
Viewers slammed a social media trend dubbed ‘sadfishing’ after it was discussed on today’s programme by journalist Rebecca Reid (right) and ex-Love Island star Montana Brown (left)
Viewers were quick to dismiss the practice, with many claiming it is nothing more than ‘whingeing’ in a public forum.
One tweeted: ‘At 37 years young I really don’t know what’s happening to society it’s broken whinge whinge whinge the angry birds generation ffs.’
Another posted: ‘#Sadfishing? That’s a new one for me! I do see it a lot on social media though, we’re people share emotional experiences!’
A third wrote: ‘I have a friend who is constantly #SadFishing online. Every day she’s got another ailment bothering her. Always off sick with something and the comments she gets on her post.’
Viewers were quick to dismiss the practice, with many claiming it is nothing more than ‘whingeing’ in a public forum. However others said there is ‘nothing wrong’ with posting
Others argued posting about issues to help others is fine, but only if it’s genuine.
One explained: ‘I think when you share something it’s fine, but you must be genuine, in the end I think most will pick up if you a. Not doing it for the right reasons or b. Lying, on the whole if its truthful etc yes it’s good it helps thumbs up.’
Discussing the issue, Rebecca said: ‘I think there are different ways of sharing online – if you’re writing an honest accurate post then all power to you. What I struggle with is glamourising your sadness.’
Montana, who has posted about anxiety and grief online, then argued: ‘I feel like some people don’t have to confidence and don’t want to share with the people around them. Why not share online if it makes you feel better?’
Rebecca felt some celebrities were ‘glamourising’ their problems – but Montana says she doesn’t share her problems for attention and simply wants to help young people with their issues. Pictured, Montana’s mental health post shared earlier this year
The journalist then explained that Montana’s celebrity status means that more people ‘care’ about her problems, and felt teenagers who do the same thing would get a more negative reaction.
She said: ‘When I talk about it [anxiety] considerably fewer people care and then beyond me is teenagers and they are learning to use social media from celebrities.’
Montana later added: ‘I don’t get the harm in people in the public eye sharing their own problems – they don’t do it for attention.’
Rebecca responded: ‘I think it depends on the celebrity – I think there are some celebrities who are doing it in a very glamourised way.’
Rebecca felt that Montana’s celebrity status means that more people ‘care’ about her problems
Montana argued that sharing online can help people who aren’t confident enough to confide in the people around them
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