Sacred Hearts Academy  |   Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo

Sacred Hearts Academy  |   Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo

Sacred Hearts Academy  |   Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo

ILLUSTRATION – Sadfishing

Teens caught up in rising trend
Sadfishing+is+a+growing+social+media+trend%2C+in+which+people+post+emotional+content+of+themselves+to+gain+sympathy+from+followers.+A+recent+study+by+BMC+Psychology+states%2C+%E2%80%9CEmotional+posts+are+often+shared+online+during+or+shortly+after+an+emotional+experience+with+the+intent+of+evoking+supportive+feedback+from+others.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis+editorial+cartoon+depicts+sadfishing+by+showing+a+young+girl+fishing+in+a+metaphorical+lake.+Her+big+catch+is+a+smartphone%2C+which+shows+a+post+she+made+on+social+media.+The+girl+is+upset+and+crying+in+her+post.+The+fish+circling+the+phone+symbolize+her+social+media+followers%2C+most+of+whom+are+friends+who+know+her.+They+reach+out+through+direct+message+to+find+out+if+she+is+okay.+Then+at+the+bottom+of+the+lake+lies+the+deeper+meaning+beneath+her+post.+Experts+might+say+that+sadfishing%2C+or+fishing+for+attention%2C+is+a+call+for+help.+Loneliness%2C+depression+and+low+self-esteem+are+a+few+reasons+as+to+why+someone+might+sadfish%2C+according+to+experts.+
Sadfishing is a growing social media trend, in which people post emotional content of themselves to gain sympathy from followers. A recent study by BMC Psychology states, “Emotional posts are often shared online during or shortly after an emotional experience with the intent of evoking supportive feedback from others.” This editorial cartoon depicts sadfishing by showing a young girl “fishing” in a metaphorical lake. Her big catch is a smartphone, which shows a post she made on social media. The girl is upset and crying in her post. The fish circling the phone symbolize her social media followers, most of whom are friends who know her. They reach out through direct message to find out if she is okay. Then at the bottom of the lake lies the deeper meaning beneath her post. Experts might say that sadfishing, or fishing for attention, is a call for help. Loneliness, depression and low self-esteem are a few reasons as to why someone might sadfish, according to experts.

To read more, find the full article here.

About the Contributor
Nikki Kaahanui
Nikki Kaahanui, Artist
Nikki is a first-year Journalism student and a senior at the Academy. As part of the Ka Leo staff, she hopes to encourage people to learn about different issues and discover new things. In her free time, Nikki likes to draw and play on her PS5. One fun fact is that her favorite place to travel is Nara, Japan. 
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  • Zan CairesApr 19, 2024 at 12:42 pm

    Absolutely beautiful depiction of Sadfishing. Nik is so talented- congrats to her for winning 1st place in HHSJA Infographic section!!

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