After the tragic killing of Suhas Shetty and a separate mob lynching, Mangaluru city witnessed a surge in inflammatory posts on social media, prompting the police to tighten digital monitoring. A total of 25 FIRs have been filed—21 following Suhas’s murder and 4 after the lynching incident, with authorities having already traced most of the suspects.

Cybersecurity and law specialist Ananth Prabhu G issued a stern warning to internet users, noting how algorithms can magnify provocative content. “A post that would barely reach a few hundred people can suddenly gain lakhs of views if linked to trending or sensitive topics,” he explained. He cautioned that even seemingly harmless remarks can bring serious legal consequences. “Private posts, once screenshotted and circulated, often land users in costly legal battles,” he added. Prabhu advised strict personal data hygiene and secure logout practices.

He also shed light on the psychological pull of viral content, saying many users seek validation online due to real-life insignificance, driven by likes, shares, and visibility. This constant chase leads to addictive and reckless posting behavior.

Psychiatrist Dr Kiran Kumar PK from AJ Institute stated that individuals who frequently engage in online hostility often suffer from empathy deficits, low frustration tolerance, or antisocial tendencies. He also noted a pattern where ideological extremism provides misplaced identity or attention.

Both experts called for early intervention through value-based education to nurture mutual respect and digital accountability.