Recent studies have formulated the reasons we are so mean to each other online and say things to each other that we would never say in person.
On Facebook, for example, a seemingly trivial exchange of opinions may turn into a fiery dispute, leading to “unfriending” or “blocking.” Why do people leave disagreeable and caustic comments online, leading to unnecessary fights, when they would never say those things face to face?
One huge factor that causes one to make bold, offensive remarks online is anonymity. Hiding behind a fake screen name causes one to become bolder and less afraid about posting rude comments to other people, because he or she feels that anonymity equals invincibility and invisibility. However, even when everything is public and no one is truly anonymous, such as on sites like Facebook, there still seems to be a lack of self-restraint.
“People seem to be more rude to each other online than in real life simply because they can get away with it. There is no real confrontation between people,” says Daniel Chong, a junior at Granada Hills High.
Research from professors at Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh has shown that browsing Facebook lowers our self control. “Likes” on Facebook boost our self-esteem, causing our self control to go down. This is followed by a need to keep posting hostile posts and comments in order to gain more “likes.”
According to Sherry Turkle, psychologist and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor of the social studies of science and technology, we restrain ourselves less online because we do not have to physically see the reactions of the people we are talking to.
As for Facebook, the name of the site itself is a problem because “it promises us a face and a place where we are going to have friends,” says Dr. Turkle.
