I agree partially, internet point systems give people a metric to optimize for (any metric that can be gamed, will be gamed) and it happens that sensationalism

I agree partially, internet point systems give people a metric to optimize for (any metric that can be gamed, will be gamed) and it happens that sensationalism is an efficient strategy for accumulating internet points in most extant internet point systems. However, I think what people say online will leach into what they truly believe, particularly with repetition. I believe humans have a cognitive bias towards consistency, particularly with respect to their self-image. If there's a large disconnect between what you truly believe and what you say online, I think there's probably a psychological pressure to alter your self-image to be more inline with what you've been saying.