Contemplating the Mysteries of the World - Part 5: Internet Toxicity

The internet is a notoriously toxic place. From posts on twitter to the comments sections of YouTube videos, people have no filter when it comes to negativity. I know I already wrote a whole blog about respect, but I feel like I need to talk more specifically about the online side of this topic. So why do people think that it is okay to be more cruel on the internet? It is like they think that it is somehow less hurtful to read mean things because they are coming from a faceless name. Maybe that it the point. Maybe people would always be this mean if there were no consequences for them to do it in person. The internet is a place where the bullies can remain completely anonymous, so they don't have any real repercussions for their actions, or do they. As we know, most of the time we think that we are more anonymous than we actually are. There are always methods of tracing a rude post or harsh comment back to the poster.

This poses the question, why do people feel the need to be mean on the internet in general. We are taught in schools to be kind. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, right? So why do some people listen to that and are actually nice to others, while the majority of the population ignores that message. The worst part is, I have met so many horrible people who think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way that they treat other human beings. They are nice to the people that they like, and think that the people that they are rude too deserve it, like they are a lesser person. Social media bullying has become such an issue, especially in a high school environment. Mental health in teens has significantly declined due to social media, and the if the internet was a nicer place, these problems wouldn't be at the forefront of every student, parent, and teacher's mind. Okay, I think I am done ranting about the very platform I am ranting on.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Rosie.