Social media has opened the world to many. It has connected people of like minds and given people access to new ideas. For the most part, it has been a positive advancement. But there is a dark side to social media: the trolls and hate speech. Those who troll the Internet to empower themselves by tormenting people they have no relationship with and inflicting pain with words and threats hidden behind a screen. Those who feel it is OK broadcasting hateful and offensive words towards others.
This past week there has been enough of that going around:
Tea Party Troll Todd Kincannon goes on misogynistic anti-Wendy Davis Twitter rant– I don’t care what your politics are (and this isn’t a political statement by me), this is an example of unacceptable language. If you wouldn’t say this on a podium being recorded, to the person’s face, in front of your pastor, or with your granny present, then don’t say this online. It is that simple.
This Tumblr User Shows Her Horrific Anonymous Messages In A Powerful Art Project – Sadly, this is all too common for many women online.
To counter all of this, my friend Danny Brown wrote an insightful piece on online bullying. I highly recommend reading it.
The thing is we all have a responsibility to treat others will respect. Online and offline. Words do hurt. And they set a negative example for all. Trolling is not acceptable. Nor is hateful speech.
Stopping online uncivil behavior starts with all of us participating in the online community. Who is in?
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