Can You Tell If This Blog Was Written by AI?

As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, the line between human and machine-written content is starting to blur. Below are two blog posts on the same topic can you guess which one is written by AI?

Look at the structure, the tone, the emotion, and the depth of insight. One might surprise you. Both might.

This isn’t just about guessing right—it’s about exploring what creativity looks like in a world where both humans and AI are writing side by side.

Here's the brief:

• Write a blog about the complexities of human behaviour on social media, with a heavy focus on trolling, the bandwagon effect and why people are willing to be so mean and hurtful to other people, brands or organisations.

• Discuss how the different social media platforms have different tones and audiences and often one platform will be more "Wild West" than others.

• Offer insight to the reader on how they can report this behaviour.

• Write this in a neutral tone, a standard style blog.

• Write it in first person style, audience is : professionals, office workers, digital marketing.

• Also suggest a title.

• Word count should be between 500 - 1000 words.

Understanding the Complexities of Human Behavior on Social Media and Its Impact on Us

Social media has fundamentally changed how we communicate and share ideas. While it offers a unique platform for creativity and connection, it also brings out some unsettling aspects of human behavior. As an everyday user, I have observed issues like trolling, the bandwagon effect, and a willingness among some to be cruel. In this blog post, I will explore these behaviors, the reasons behind them, and how various platforms contribute to these dynamics.

The Rise of Trolling

Trolling has become a widely recognized term in our digital age, but it encompasses more than just joking around online. Trolling involves posting provocative messages to elicit strong reactions from others. What drives people to engage in such disruptive behavior?

Anonymity plays a significant role. On many social media platforms, users can hide behind fake names and avatars. This allows them to express harsh opinions without real-world consequences. Studies have indicated that people who troll often display traits like high narcissism or low empathy levels. For instance, a 2013 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that trolls tend to have higher levels of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism.

In 2021, research revealed that 61% of online users had encountered some form of trolling. This alarming statistic highlights the prevalence of this behavior and the need for proactive measures to address it.

The Bandwagon Effect

The bandwagon effect describes how individuals often adopt behaviors or opinions because they see others doing the same. This phenomenon is particularly common on social media, where opinions can spread like wildfire.

When a user posts an outrageous opinion or starts a trend, many people may join in, seeking conformity or attention. This herd mentality escalates negativity, creating an atmosphere where unhelpful comments and radical views thrive. A staggering 75% of people report changing their opinions to align with popular sentiment on social media platforms, rather than forming their original thoughts.

Platforms like Twitter amplify this effect. A single viral tweet can trigger thousands of retweets and likes, quickly drowning out thoughtful discussions and contributing to a toxic environment.

The Different Tones Across Platforms

Not every social media platform fosters the same tone or sets of expectations. Being aware of these differences can greatly enhance your online experience.

For example, Reddit often resembles the "Wild West" of social media. Though it has rules in place, the platform comforts unfiltered conversations, letting users express themselves more freely. This freedom can lead to unmoderated trolling and harsh criticism.

On the other hand, LinkedIn maintains a more professional atmosphere. The audience consists mainly of industry professionals who generally exhibit more restraint in their comments. However, they still address controversial topics with calculated responses.

Recognizing these platform-specific nuances helps users anticipate the interactions they might face based on the platform’s distinct characteristics.

Understanding Negative Behavior

If negativity is so common on social media, why do individuals engage in such hurtful behavior? Several factors contribute to this trend.

Firstly, social media creates a sense of distance. Communicating through a screen can diminish the emotional impact of our words, making it easier to act without empathy. Users can express harsh opinions without immediately witnessing the effects on others.

Secondly, the competitiveness intrinsic to social media fuels negativity. To stand out in a crowded space, individuals may resort to sensationalism or aggression. A report from 2022 showed that posts with aggressive messaging generated 35% more engagement than neutral posts. This cycle of negativity not only garners attention but feeds further unkind interactions.

Taking Action Against Inappropriate Behavior

As we navigate the complexities of social media, it is essential to take action against harmful conduct. Reporting trolling, hate speech, and harassment is a vital step in fostering a healthier online space. Most platforms provide tools to report inappropriate content.

When you see harmful behavior, follow these steps:

1. Review Reporting Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with what constitutes reportable behavior on the platform.

2. Locate the Report Function: Most social media platforms have options to report posts, comments, or users directly from their interface.

3. Provide Detailed Information: When reporting, provide context describing why the behavior is harmful and any evidence of ongoing harassment.

4. Follow Up: Some platforms may inform you about actions taken, so keep an eye out for feedback.

   
   

By actively participating in these reporting processes, we can work together to create safer and more respectful online communities.

Final Thoughts

The complexities of human behavior on social media reveal much about our society and ourselves. While platforms allow for expression and connection, they also showcase the darker sides of human nature, like trolling and the spread of negativity. Understanding these dynamics, the varying tones across platforms, and the motivations for unkindness can help users navigate social media more thoughtfully.

In closing, keep in mind that every interaction matters. By choosing to act against negativity and reporting harmful behaviors, we can help foster a more respectful online community, enhancing our overall social media experience.

The Complexity of Human Behaviour on Social Media

I work in digital marketing, and over the years I’ve watched the behaviour of people online with both fascination and frustration. One day your brand receives hundreds of kind comments—supportive, encouraging, loyal. The next day, one post stirs the pot and a wave of cruelty and criticism floods in. Sometimes it’s justified critique, but often it veers sharply into trolling, personal attacks, or performative outrage.

Why does this happen? Why are people so mean online?

Let’s unpack this behaviour—and look at how different platforms encourage (or discourage) it.

Trolling: When Critique Turns into Cruelty

Trolling isn’t just being rude—it’s deliberate, disruptive, and meant to provoke. It often hides behind sarcasm, mockery, or false sincerity. Trolls feed off emotional responses, and unfortunately, they’re rewarded with attention in comment threads.

From a psychological standpoint, trolling is linked to a desire for control, dominance, or attention. It can also come from boredom or personal frustration. What makes it thrive is the anonymity (or perceived distance) social media provides. Without face-to-face accountability, empathy takes a back seat.

I've seen brands harassed for inclusive campaigns, charities attacked for minor typos, and individuals targeted for simply having an opinion.

The Bandwagon Effect: Why Mob Mentality Grows

Another key behavioural factor is the bandwagon effect—when people pile on criticism simply because others are doing it. It gives a false sense of righteousness and unity. You see it in viral call-outs, cancellation trends, and trending hashtags. People often don't pause to verify the full story or check the context—they just join in.

This behaviour is especially common on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, where content is algorithmically surfaced to stoke engagement. A negative comment with 5,000 likes can carry more weight than a thoughtful post with 5. Social validation becomes more important than facts.

The scary part? You don’t have to be an “angry” person to join the mob. The group energy pulls people in.

Different Platforms, Different Tones

The tone and culture of each platform influences behaviour. Here's a quick comparison based on my own observations and experience:

• Facebook – Emotional and personal. Often filled with extended family debates, community outrage, or highly polarised comment threads.

• Instagram – Curated, visual-first, often positive on the surface, but can have toxicity in comments—especially for influencers and public figures.

• X (Twitter) – Fast-paced, sarcastic, combative. Home to much of the trolling and pile-on culture. The quote-tweet feature often amplifies criticism.

• TikTok – Young audience, creative, but trends can turn mean quickly. Comment sections can be brutal.

• LinkedIn – Professional, more measured. Still, people are not immune to public shaming here—especially if a post is perceived as tone-deaf or self-serving.

Some platforms have stronger moderation tools or culture; others still feel like the Wild West.

Why Are People Willing to Be So Hurtful?

The short answer? It’s easier to dehumanise someone online. Social media strips away body language, tone, and emotional nuance. It creates a digital mask. It also removes the immediate consequences of hurting someone. You don’t see their face, their tears, or the real-life impact of your words.

Sometimes people feel like they’re “punching up” at institutions or celebrities—but often that aggression spills over to innocent individuals or brands just doing their job.

What Can You Do?

If you’re on the receiving end of negativity—or see it happening—there are tools and strategies that can help:

Report Harmful Content

All major platforms have reporting tools:

• Facebook & Instagram: Click the three dots (...) on a comment/post > "Report"

• X/Twitter: Click the "..." > "Report Tweet"

• TikTok: Long press on a comment > "Report"

• LinkedIn: "More" > "Report this post"

Don’t assume nothing happens—enough reports can lead to content removal or account suspension.

Moderate Comments and Use Filters

Most platforms allow for keyword blocking, comment approval, or hiding toxic replies. Use these tools proactively.

Respond with Care—Or Not At All

Sometimes a calm, factual reply can de-escalate. Other times, silence or a simple block is best.

Support Others

If you see someone being unfairly targeted, a kind comment or direct message can go a long way. We need more upstanders than bystanders.

Final Thoughts

Digital communities reflect our real ones—flawed, passionate, messy. But the online world magnifies and distorts. As professionals, we need to stay aware of the psychological forces at play, the tone of each platform, and our own responses.

Whether managing a brand, running ads, or simply trying to connect, recognising these complexities can help us navigate them more humanely.

Here’s the twist: both pieces of content were written by AI. The version on the left was created using Wix.com’s AI writing tool, and the one on the right was generated by ChatGPT. This wasn’t about fooling anyone. It was about exploring how far AI writing has come—and how close it’s getting to sounding human.

The goal? To get you thinking about how we consume content, what we value in writing, and how we might use AI as a tool—not a replacement—in creative work.