Dangerous influences on the internet

Dangerous Influences on the Internet – and How to Protect Yourself

The internet can inspire, inform, and connect you. But it can also deliberately spread content that shifts your thinking, puts you under pressure, or encourages you to engage in risky behavior. Younger people in particular are often especially susceptible to group opinions, trends, and bandwagon effects. Below, you will find a brief, easy-to-understand description of different topics, an overview of possible risks—if you take the content seriously and follow its recommendations—and practical tips on how to recognize misinformation and what you can do when you encounter it.

1) Unrealistic Beauty Ideals

The internet often promotes unrealistic body images: “perfect” skin, extremely slim or “defined” bodies, filtered photos, heavily edited videos, and messages suggesting “success through appearance.” Behind this, there are often advertisements, affiliate links, beauty apps, cosmetics or fitness programs—or even pressure created by “before-and-after” comparisons. Unfortunately, more and more people are orienting themselves toward these false or unrealistic beauty ideals and trying to conform to them.

Risks & consequences of using unrealistic beauty ideals as a personal role model:

Psychological pressure: Shame, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of not being “good enough.”
Eating disorders & risky behavior: Extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and sometimes dangerous supplements.
Expensive poor decisions: Unnecessary products or treatments instead of reputable help.
Social withdrawal: Lower self-confidence and conflicts in relationships.

How to recognize whether something is actually “real”:

Look for filters/retouching: unnatural skin texture, “moving” faces, or blurred/distorted details.
Look for comparisons without editing: Are genuine before-and-after studies being shown?
Check advertising claims: “100% results” without data or studies = a warning sign.
Signs of credibility include realistic statements, information about limitations, and reliable sources.

What to do when you see misleading content:

Follow accounts that show diversity (different body types, authentic stories).
Use “pause” functions: If you feel worse after scrolling, that is a sign.
Talk to someone (a friend, trusted teacher) or seek professional help if you notice that the content is seriously affecting you.

2) Targeted Propaganda

Propaganda is deliberate manipulation: Content is selected, distorted, or worded in an emotional way in order to strongly establish a particular opinion. It can be political, cultural, or directed against specific groups. It often involves alleged “scandals,” “insider information,” or videos that show only one side while deliberately leaving out information.

Risks & consequences of accepting the message of targeted propaganda without checking it:

Poor decisions: You believe things that are not true—and act accordingly.
Hatred & polarization: Distrust of “the others” increases and conflicts escalate.
Radicalization: Step by step, disagreement is portrayed as a threat.
Loss of media literacy: People check information less because they believe they already “know the truth.”

How to recognize authenticity & factual accuracy:

Who is the source? Is there a verifiable basis (original material, data, context)?
Are facts being left out? A genuine image or claim needs its full context.
Pay attention to emotion rather than information: “Outrage in 30 seconds” is a classic example.
Compare sources: Do several reputable media outlets report the same thing based on the same data?

What to do when you recognize propaganda:

Do not share it impulsively. Check it first.
Comment objectively or respond with sources rather than “feelings.”
Report content if it is clearly identifiable as disinformation or hate speech (depending on the platform).

3) Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories explain complex events through alleged secret plans (“those in power,” “everything is staged”). They often rely on:

“You can’t prove it, but you have to believe it.”
Contradictory “evidence” that is continually adapted to fit the theory.
Enemy images and the feeling that “you are one of the few who really understands what is going on.”

The spread of conspiracy theories is often intended to influence public opinion and create frustration, which may ultimately also be used to influence politics. In many cases, political parties on both the right and left of the political center can benefit from such narratives.

Risks & consequences of accepting conspiracy theories without checking them:

Loss of touch with reality: You lose your connection to reliable facts.
Distrust of institutions: Healthcare, science, and the media.
Isolation & conflict: Relationships suffer because constructive dialogue becomes difficult or impossible.
Dangerous actions: If “rules” are no longer considered valid (“the government lies anyway”), people may feel they do not have to follow them and may potentially break the law.

How to recognize false/inadequate content:

Are there verifiable sources, or only screenshots, hearsay, and “leaker” videos?
Are there contradictions? Are they ignored or reinterpreted?
Is the theory “always right,” regardless of what happens? That is a warning sign.

What to do if you are affected or see this happening to others:

Start with a question: “What exactly is the source? Do you have a link to the original?”
Remain respectful. Many people are emotionally invested—it is not simply a matter of being “poorly informed.”
If the situation escalates (e.g., threats), seek help from trusted people, school social workers, or, if appropriate, counseling services.
Report sources that deliberately spread conspiracy theories with the aim of inciting hatred against other people or distributing illegal content.

4) Medical and Mental Health Self-Diagnosis

More and more people are searching the internet or social media for information about illnesses or mental health problems. In addition, posts can suddenly appear in your TikTok, YouTube, or other social media feeds telling you things like: “This symptom means you have exactly this disease” or “You definitely have a mental health condition because you …”

Most of this is clickbait, and the content is often designed as short clips without really going into depth. Such posts also frequently give advice about what you should do in “such cases,” for example: buy these products, sign up for an online psychological seminar, try self-healing through … A recommendation to see a doctor is often missing.

Such posts or articles cannot replace a visit to a doctor because they lack the diagnostic methods, medical history, and examinations that can only be properly carried out by a qualified and experienced doctor or psychologist.

Risks & consequences of following such recommendations:

Misdiagnosis: You may not treat the actual problem correctly.
Fear & panic: Minor symptoms can become “catastrophes.”
Delaying professional help: Instead of going to a medical practice or therapy, you rely on “Dr. Google.”
Dangerous side effects: Self-medication or unverified “treatments.”

How to recognize whether the information is factually correct:

Reputable content states its limitations (“not suitable for self-diagnosis”), provides sources, and identifies qualified authors.
Warning signs: “100% accuracy,” “cured in 7 days,” no questions being asked, and no diagnostic process.
A typical clickbait trick: “If you do X, you are Y” → this is usually far too general.

What to do if you are unsure:

Use symptoms as a reason to seek advice, not as a diagnosis: Talk to your family doctor, another doctor, or a psychotherapy service.
For mental health issues → talk to trusted people.
In an acute crisis → Nummer gegen Kummer: 116111 or the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians: 116117.

5) Instructions, Approval, and Rewards for Criminal Acts

Criminal behavior is increasingly celebrated online and portrayed as cool or as a sign of genuine strength. In addition, you can find instructions that supposedly explain exactly how to avoid getting caught (e.g., “how to hack X,” “how to commit fraud,” “how to avoid getting caught”). In some cases, criminal acts are also glorified: “Respect, that was clever,” or “You really showed those people in power/the system what you think.” As a reward for breaking the rules, people may receive recognition within the community or show off status symbols.

Risks & consequences if you get involved:

Legal consequences: Investigations, criminal proceedings, and a criminal record.
Harm to others: Victims of fraud, violence, or extortion.
Group coordination: Getting involved can become a “community requirement.”
Further problems: Financial loss, trauma for victims, and long-term consequences for you.

How to recognize dangerous content:

As soon as there are “how-to” steps, tools, or tips for bypassing safeguards → immediate warning sign.
Fame (“clout”)/likes as a reward: This is manipulative because the behavior is being rewarded.
“Cool” framing is often used (“just a little prank”)—that does not change the seriousness of the act.

What to do if you see this kind of content:

Do not save it, share it, or imitate it.
Report the content to the platform and, where appropriate, to the relevant authorities (school, youth services, digital reporting centers, police in cases of immediate danger).
If someone around you starts getting involved in this kind of activity: Do not simply cut off the conversation—but set clear boundaries and offer help.

6) Disruption of Public Peace Through Illegal Actions

You have probably seen posts in your social media feed calling for certain actions or events, especially because current issues can trigger strong emotions in many people. These actions are often described as a “dare” or “protest,” while the possible consequences are downplayed. They are also frequently justified by saying that the participants are standing up for a good cause (climate, justice, equality, etc.).

To attract as many people as possible, organizers may say things such as: “It’ll only take a minute,” “It’s completely harmless,” “It won’t be that bad,” or “Everyone is doing it.” However, such actions may deliberately be intended to endanger public peace or public order or to deliberately escalate certain situations. In the worst case, this can lead to property damage or even physical injuries, even if you did not expect this to happen yourself.

Risks & consequences of participating:

Injuries: Panic, violence, accidents, and dangerous situations in traffic.
Criminal and administrative penalties: Investigations, charges, and police visits.
Long-term consequences: Witness statements and digital traces (e.g., mobile-phone videos) can follow you.
Trauma/fear for others—as well as guilt or consequences for you.

How to recognize manipulative framing:

“Nobody will do anything” / “Everything is secured” → often the opposite is true.
No information about rights, responsibilities, or de-escalation.
Calls for “escalation,” “confrontation,” or “breaking the rules.”

What to do if you are invited to participate:

Do not go—not even “just to watch.” Being present can have consequences.
If you are unsure, ask a trusted adult or school social worker.
If you are already there and things begin to escalate, leave the event and call emergency services.

7) Glorification of War

We are repeatedly confronted with war or acts of war on social media, as well as in films and television series. This can lead to the glorification of war, where war is portrayed as “heroic,” “brave,” “necessary,” or “romantic”—often through edited images/videos, music, memes, and other forms of “glorification.”

However, such portrayals are often intended to recruit people to fight for a “just cause” or to make war seem like a necessary evil that must simply be accepted. Following major cinema successes such as Top Gun, for example, U.S. Navy enlistments reportedly increased by around 8% compared with the average.

Such portrayals leave out the negative consequences: death, injuries, trauma, destruction, civilian casualties—or they justify war or acts of war in pursuit of political goals (e.g., distracting from other issues or fueling hatred against a perceived enemy) or material goals (e.g., gaining access to oil or natural resources).

Risks & consequences of accepting the glorification of war uncritically:

Dehumanization of people involved in conflicts → less empathy and greater willingness to use violence.
Misguided decisions: You underestimate risks and real-world consequences.
Radicalization & hatred toward “the enemy” instead of making a sober assessment.
Psychological stress: If war is perceived as “normal,” this can have a long-term destabilizing emotional effect.

How to recognize the glorification of war and the possible motives behind it:

Are only “action” moments shown, while the consequences are ignored?
Are there sources such as original reports, statistics, or reports from independent organizations?
Is war portrayed as a “game” or “video game”? This can be manipulative.
Is the full history of the conflict underlying the war presented, and are the perspectives of all parties involved described objectively and without emotional manipulation?

What to do when you see such content:

Use fact-checking and reputable sources (UN reports, respected media outlets, academic/scientific sources).
Talk about the issue with a focus on the impact on civilians and human rights.
If content calls for hatred or violence: report it and set clear boundaries.

How to Check Content: The “3-Minute Check”

If you are unsure, use this quick routine:

Check the source: Who published it? Is it a known and verifiable newsroom, organization, or expert?
Look for evidence: Are there links to original data/studies, or only screenshots and claims?
Cross-check: Can you find the same statement in other reputable sources, with the relevant context?

If You Notice That You Are Already “Deep Into It”

If you realize that a particular topic is strongly affecting you (fear, anger, “this must be true”), there is no reason to be ashamed. But it is a signal:

Get out of the echo chamber (unfollow accounts, take breaks, seek different perspectives).
Talk to real people (rather than relying only on comment sections).
If you are experiencing psychological distress: seek help (school social workers, counseling services, doctors/therapists).

Dangerous influences on the internet