How the internet warps our emotions | DW Documentary
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
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Video “How the internet warps our emotions | DW Documentary” was uploaded on 06/27/2025 by DW Documentary Youtube channel.
Can’t feel *Anything
The Doctor at 12:09 is the prime example of a dangerous person: she wants to manipulate emotions using machines without considering the horrifying ethical potential of such technologies.
I believe I was hacked and did some of the things I've done in my life because of what I saw online. I am the only thing that can decide wrong from right. What's scary is I can be influenced. 🎉 I'm in my early 30's. Most of my friends are dead or in prison, or have lost thier minds to drugs. One friend actually made something of himself. I'm picking up the scraps and starting all over.
Good documentary. Need of the hour. I just seem to observe the obsession everywhere.
so you decided on the happy ending /// cool
It's because of his internet addiction and sedentary life that he can't go on nature hikes.
ok mr skinner is a strange bag of veggies..
Only a monster uses technology to control others.
You have to be a complete… to want to be controlled.
Many people became addicted to the social media so much that they prefer to waste their lives on screens and gadgets rather than making real connections with real people in the real world.
How sad
That dude is so awkward. Shes definitly wearing the pants and the brainz, and the heart of that team.
Can’t feel anything you mean
People don't want to be free, they like to be told what they should do or feel. Very sad!
Terrible documentary.
23:55 what you mean in some in all cases critical posts can have serious consequences
This video has a happy ending
Imagine if the best solution is to just turn your devices off, problem solved.
How's a company that probably also rips of their workers that try to make people fall in love with their audience not a troll or even scammer lol 🤣😑
cant feel nothing means you are feeling everything haaaa bruh
Excellent work David. Love the ending. I felt sympathetic joy and compassion for the two. Is this a form of healthy manipulation of my emotions? I’m not sure if I feel a bit empty now. Is this similar to having witnessed a stranger couple experience this in flesh. Am I just missing the various other sensory streams unavailable through the digital display?
there is too much rage bait and negative content that messes up with our emotions.
LMAO 41:22 is that for real? Was he really having such a hard time hiking? LMAO good one
Double standards of he adversial content creators, like the russian guy, is an absolute disgust. Those creators and tech bros don't want their children to be influenced by the ill content they create, but they have problem disrupting development of children of the others. That's pretty much an outrage and tells all about those people. And then, there's AI.
I really enjoyed this! Very well done. Very interesting discussions & timely topics. Thanks so much to everyone who was involved with this. Hope to see more.
28:26 nobody told these kids that what they’re watching isn’t real? So they’re investing themselves in the intangible except that they’ve never thought about that. When I was a kid the tv screen was presented as entertainment only you get in you get out there’s nothing to gain from it not even a bathroom break lol The only reason these kids don’t want to get out is because they have nothing to do with their time. I bet if you called them up and said hey want to learn to build your own house they’d say yeah and want to design it too
From "I wonder what will become of you later, you're a failure" — to now. Parents take note, this time it's the real deal!
21:32 overshooting. Controllers love the idea of controlling people but love more that they can get people to think they can be controlled. Because they know they can’t. That’s why force is used such as the playpen the controller is not in control. Same thing with online the control is not real it can end at any time where it’s actually the manipulated that’s in control not the manipulator who merely lives in a playpen lol
It’s “can’t feel anything”