How the internet warps our emotions | DW Documentary

#dwdocs #dwdocumentary #doomscrolling
Is the internet making us emotionally numb? Online trolls and influencers expertly manipulate people's feelings, leading many to disconnect from their emotions. Scientists explain how the internet influences what we feel — and whether we feel at all.

A man lies in bed, illuminated by the blue-white light of his smartphone screen. As he scrolls through endless social media feeds, he sees adorable pets, outraged opinion pieces, and haunting images from conflict zones - but he feels absolutely nothing.

With curiosity and humor, director David Borenstein travels to Europe, Asia, the U.S., and Russia to investigate how bad things really are. Who is pulling the strings when the internet makes us angry, sad, horny or just plain indifferent? Is there any way to reclaim our emotions? Borenstein portrays a range of perspectives, including an American internet troll, a burnt-out star from the Asian influencer industry, a Russian state propagandist, and an online dominatrix. Scientific research into human emotions sheds light on how our emotional responses are being manipulated. The result is an alarming diagnosis of our digital era — paired with a bold attempt to search for solutions.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #emotions #doomscrolling