Search Here

Sadfishing is a social media trend where people exaggerate their emotional struggles online to gain attention and sympathy.

Understanding Sadfishing

The term "sadfishing" was coined by journalist Rebecca Reid in 2019, when she used it to describe the act of posting exaggerated accounts of one's emotional troubles on social media in an attempt to attract sympathy and attention. The phenomenon gained significant attention when Kendall Jenner's emotional post about her "debilitating" acne was revealed as a promotional stunt for her collaboration with Proactiv. This event highlighted how some celebrities fabricate emotional struggles to gain public sympathy and attention.

The Difference Between Sadfishing and Genuine Vulnerability

Sadfishing is not simply about seeking support online. It involves a calculated exaggeration of emotional states to attract sympathy. Behavioral specialist and researcher Cara Petrofes has studied this trend extensively. She described it as a tendency among social media users to amplify their emotional states to garner sympathy. In a paper published in the Journal of American College Health, Petrofes and her colleagues examined sadfishing among college students. They found it to be a common "maladaptive" coping mechanism.

Petrofes explained that people with anxious attachment styles tend to seek validation from others. This need for consistent interaction and a higher number of online and in-person friendships can lead to sadfishing. Therefore, while being vulnerable online is not inherently negative, sadfishing represents a specific and exaggerated attempt to gain attention.

Impact on Young People

Research conducted by Digital Awareness UK (DAUK) examined the behavior of 50,000 young people aged 11 to 16. They found that when children genuinely seek support online, they are often accused of sadfishing. This accusation can lead to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding.

For instance, one student shared his struggles at home on Instagram, hoping for support from friends. However, his genuine attempt to seek help was dismissed as an emotional ploy for attention. This incident, reported by Sky News, illustrates the negative impact of being labeled a sadfisher. The student felt worse in some ways but also supported in others, highlighting the complex effects of this trend.