Legal and psychological authorities in the UAE are issuing urgent warnings about the dangerous proliferation of ‘trial by social media,’ highlighting how digital mob justice is undermining legal due process and inflicting severe psychological harm. This expert analysis follows a tragic incident in Kerala, India, where a man took his own life after facing mass online condemnation.
Professor Aryaan Asad Lalani of Middlesex University Dubai emphasizes that the fundamental legal principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is entirely absent in the court of public opinion. ‘Social media algorithms construct narratives around polarized evidence, compelling users to render judgments based on incomplete stories,’ Professor Lalani explained. ‘This creates profoundly problematic outcomes that bypass evidentiary standards.’
The Kerala case exemplifies these dangers. A 35-year-old woman posted videos accusing a man of inappropriate touching on a bus, triggering widespread online condemnation. Two days after the video went viral, the accused man died by suicide while maintaining his innocence. His family alleges the accusation was fabricated for social media fame. The woman now faces charges of abetment to suicide and is in judicial custody, having never filed a formal police report initially.
Clinical Psychologist Asra Sarwar of Aster Clinics detailed the devastating psychological impact of online shaming. ‘Human beings are neurologically wired for social acceptance,’ Sarwar noted. ‘Sustained negative attention triggers intense stress responses that erode self-worth and create helplessness—established risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation.’
Legal experts warn that digital accusations create irreversible damage regardless of their veracity. Professor Lalani highlighted how social media prioritizes ‘clicks, outrage and algorithmic visibility’ over factual accuracy. Even when allegations are disproven, digital footprints persist indefinitely, creating permanent reputational damage without legal basis.
Both experts identified concerning psychological dynamics driving online pile-ons. Sarwar explained that moral outrage triggers group alignment with dominant narratives, while anonymity reduces empathy and increases aggression. Lalani and Sarwar distinguished between legitimate whistleblowing—governed by evidence and legal safeguards—and unregulated call-out culture driven by virality rather than verification.
The experts concluded that while social media can occasionally provide recourse for victims failed by traditional systems, restoring institutional trust remains essential. They urged digital citizens to practice ethical engagement: ‘Respecting due process isn’t silence—it’s responsibility,’ Sarwar emphasized, noting that online actions carry profound real-world consequences.