Social Death(社死):

In Chinese, it is pronounced as: shè sǐ，Written as:

Social death is a popular internet term that primarily refers to making a fool of oneself in public. It broadly encompasses any embarrassing act in social circles that is so humiliating, it hampers one’s ability to engage normally in social interactions to the extent that they cannot function socially without feeling disgraced.

The term “social death” has gradually shifted from an initial self-deprecating slang among netizens to a synonym for the predicament of individuals who experience cyberbullying and find their social interactions blocked and their reputations tarnished. The most common consequence is that the affected person’s normal life is severely disrupted, resulting in “significant mental and emotional distress.”

The concept of “social death” was first mentioned by American author Thomas Lynch in his book *The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade*. In the book, he describes different types of death: “somatic death” as determined by stethoscopes and EEG machines; “metabolic death” based on the activity of nerve endings and molecules; and finally, “social death,” which is the death recognized by friends and neighbors.

Characteristics of Social Death:

– Public Nature: The incident usually occurs in plain view or is quickly spread via the internet, making it known to a wider audience.

– Irreversibility: Once it happens, the incident is difficult to erase or forget, especially on social media, where content can be screenshot, shared, etc.

– Psychological Impact: The individual involved may experience intense shame, embarrassment, or even develop social anxiety, leading to a reluctance to engage with others in the short term.

With the advancement of the internet, the speed at which social news and communication spread is incredibly fast. Many people share personal incidents online, sometimes without verifying the authenticity or the full context, leading to cases of “social death” before the truth is established. Due to the rapid spread of information online, misunderstandings often occur, bringing the term “social death” frequently into public discourse.