Bad actors in the media act a lot like human traffickers. They target vulnerable people. They groom them. They establish a long-running relationship. Then they recruit them into their orbit. They become followers of that influencer. The next step is that they isolate them. The followers of that influencer become enemies of other influencers of opposing ideas. Those followers are then manipulated. They are given a lot of fear to think about until, in the end, they cling on to the bad actor. This is a common cycle. And when you see it, you see it—and you can free yourself from its grip.
A Media Literacy Perspective
This sociological phenomenon is known as audience capture or digital radicalization. The post uses the mechanics of human trafficking as a provocative analogy. While the comparison to trafficking is a metaphorical device rather than a literal legal definition, the psychological progression described—targeting, grooming, isolation, and manipulation—is a well-documented cycle in the study of modern media dynamics and cult-like behavior.
At the beginning of this cycle, bad actors or hyper-partisan influencers often capitalize on the “discovery” phase of social media.
They target individuals who may feel alienated, disenfranchised, or lonely, offering them a sense of community and “hidden truth.”
By establishing a consistent presence and a long-running relationship, the influencer moves the individual into their “orbit.”
This is similar to psychological grooming; the follower begins to see the influencer as a primary mentor or a uniquely reliable source of information, which builds a deep, often emotional, dependency.
The transition toward isolation is a hallmark of “us-versus-them” rhetoric.
To maintain control, the bad actor must discredit all outside voices, labeling opposing ideas as not just incorrect, but dangerous or evil. This creates a state of epistemic closure, where the follower becomes an enemy of anyone outside that specific influencer’s circle.
Once this wall is built, the influencer uses fear as a tool of retention. Anyone outside the circle is an enemy, and leaving the circle, according to the influencer, exposes the viewer to grave physical, psychological, or spiritual risk — or they put their family and the Nation at risk. Someone who “defects” may be harassed by other members of the group. (This dynamic overlaps with cult behavior.)
By bombarding the audience with perceived threats, they keep the follower in a state of high stress, ensuring they “cling” to the influencer for safety and clarity.
While the physical constraints of human trafficking are absent, the psychological effects of this cycle can be just as binding.
The “exploitation” in this context is usually digital and financial—translated into ad revenue, subscriptions, or political mobilization.
Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward media literacy; once a person identifies the cycle of manufactured fear and forced isolation, they can intentionally diversify their information sources and break the psychological grip of the influencer.
Analysis written with the help of AI.
Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal 