Mock-shamers

Mock-shamers are individuals who publicly ridicule or shame others, often online, for perceived moral or ethical failings, flaws, or mistakes, while simultaneously creating an illusion of moral superiority. They engage in performative outrage, leveraging social media platforms to amplify their criticism and garner attention or validation from like-minded individuals. Their primary motivation often involves social posturing rather than genuine concern or constructive criticism. The goal is often to humiliate the 'target', often to gain a rise from the crowd, which can, ironically, be a form of attention seeking. This behavior is often marked by excessive judgment, exaggerated reactions, and a lack of empathy. The 'shaming' often overshadows any possibility of a real resolution or reconciliation, resulting in harm to the subject and potentially the mocker themselves in an eventual backlash.

Mock-shamers meaning with examples

• Sarah, a self-proclaimed health guru, frequently chastised people for eating 'unhealthy' foods on her blog. She would mock their choices, using dramatic language and posting pictures to generate criticism. Ironically, she would later be caught in the same behaviour herself. This hypocrisy became the main talking point. Other 'influencers' quickly became mock-shamers, focusing on this perceived flaw and ignoring their actual points.
• After a local politician made an awkward public gaffe, a group of online users, the self-professed upholders of virtue, were quick to pounce. They used edited images, decontextualized quotes, and sarcastic memes to publicly ridicule the politician, demonstrating what they believed to be an obvious superior ethical position and ignoring any attempts to give context.
• During a controversial celebrity scandal, the majority of social media was full of mock-shamers who went out of their way to condemn the celebrity and show how much better they, as individuals, are. Many people began to comment on the tone and actions of others, as if their moral standing, built on a foundation of performative outrage, was superior to that of others.
• When a popular streamer made a minor mistake during a live broadcast, the mock-shamers emerged from the woodwork to attack them on every online platform. The users pounced on their actions, demanding that they apologize for a perceived lack of knowledge. This barrage created a storm, and many people called for a ban from the platform.
• The public outrage against a well-known artist, accused of plagiarism, was quickly amplified by the actions of mock-shamers. These users joined together, using various social media channels to attack the artist, often resorting to personal insults and hateful language, all to express their outrage and solidify their position.