April 11, 2013 TXAD

Are we being more rude online?

Came across an article that says people are getting ruder on social media, and two in five users have ended contact after arguing online.

I guess it’s easy to lose your manners when half the time the other person doesn’t even know who you are or what you look like, but especially if you know the person in real life then the fact that you’re typing them from far away instead of talking to them in person might make you a little bolder…intentionally, or unintentionally.

I’m sure a lot of people have experienced this, especially if you’ve been online for over a decade. There’s a lot of talk about children cyber-bullying, but even more and more adults decide to get into online arguments even if they know one another in person.

For most people, online altercations are little more than a waste of time and things might fizzle out, but for certain people in certain positions, fines can be imposed, employees can be fired, and business deals will either fall through or be terminated depending on how high the tension escalates.

Will our manners in person be able to keep in touch with our online communications? Only time will tell, but it’s always best to treat people the way you would want to be treated…online, as well.