- Why do you think people post such content?
- What kinds of headlines grab your attention online?
Match the words with their definitions:
a. rage bait
b. incite
c. manipulative
d. eyeballs
e. biases
1. Trying to influence or control someone to your advantage
2. Feelings, often hidden or unconscious, either for or against an idea or group
3. Social media content designed to provoke anger and engagement
4. Encourage someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent
5. The number of people viewing a website or post
Listen to the audio and answer the questions:
1. What is the difference between clickbait and rage bait?
2. According to Andrea Jones, why do creators post rage bait content?
3. What does Dr William Brady say about why rage bait works?
4. What does the word ‘bait’ actually mean?
5. What psychological mechanism does rage bait exploit?
Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the box.
Word Bank:
biases – rage bait – eyeballs – clickbait – manipulative – incite – attention – outrage – healthier – emotional
Rage Bait: The New Trend Manipulating Social Media Users
In the world of social media, __________ means income. While __________ has long used shocking or exaggerated headlines to attract readers, a new and more harmful trend is gaining popularity: __________.
Rage bait is a form of social media content designed to __________ strong negative emotions like anger or __________. The goal is to provoke users into reacting—commenting, liking, or sharing—because the more people interact with a post, the more money the content creator earns. As marketing strategist Andrea Jones explains, some influencers post controversial or even offensive content simply to generate more views, even if it’s dishonest or emotionally damaging.
Unlike clickbait, which might stretch the truth to spark curiosity, rage bait is often __________. It misleads viewers by appealing to their emotions in a negative way. According to experts, this tactic plays on our psychological __________—unconscious feelings for or against certain groups or ideas—which makes us more likely to pay attention and respond emotionally.
Psychologist Dr William Brady explains that content creators are well aware of how our emotions work and how algorithms reward __________ engagement. The more __________ a post gets, the more it’s boosted by platforms—and the more ad revenue it earns.
To stop the spread of rage bait, experts suggest taking a moment before reacting to emotional posts. By refusing to engage with toxic content, we can avoid giving it more power—and help create a __________ online space.
Critical Thinking
- Should social media platforms do more to stop this kind of content?
- Is rage bait harmful to society? Why or why not?