Online negativity

United States
May 25, 2007 11:26am CST
I've found that people tend to be more negative and more insulting online than in person. I haven't seen it here on MyLot, but I'm also still new here. Every other forum that I've been in, unless there is an active moderator, negativity runs rampant. People insult one another, saying terrible things to each other, and complain nonstop. It makes me wonder why people feel so safe behaving this way online when you know they'd never say these things in real life. What do you think? Do you have more of a tendency to be harsh and negative when you're online, or do you keep your online personality fairly true to your real life personality? And if you're a person who tends to bash others online, do you also behave that way to people you know in real life?
3 people like this
10 responses
@darkness01 (1300)
25 May 07
Im a member of one or two internet forums but Mylot is the one i use much more than other, that is if you class Mylot as a "forum" ? I am always myself though and never slip into a split personality if you like when using Mylot or any other forum or chat site. I always try and be helpful and give advice and information where i know i can be helpful and i like to think people appreciate that. I do agree though that some people MAY act differently on online forums because they could be the other side of the world from the person they are talking to and so their words and actions wont have a consequence on their every day life.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 May 07
I think that's what happens a lot of times. People have some frustrations in their lives, and they go ahead and take it out on other people online... after all, this isn't "real life," and they won't have to actually look at that person in the eye and see the pain that they're causing. I also try to represent myself well online. If I do have something negative to say to someone, I will try to keep it in a private conversation and not blast my negativity in a public forum. That's how I would handle it in my real life, and that's how I handle it online too. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
• Canada
26 May 07
I think you hit the nail on the head--people use forums to take their stresses out on others. It is a form of release, I suppose, but not a healthy one as it causes pain and stress to others. I have definitely noticed people are nastier online than in "real life". I always try to stay true to myself when posting. I believe that we should treat others how we would like to be treated, even if it's strangers in an online forum. I do feel that because we can't see the person on the other end, it is easier to be mean to them. I personally don't treat people this way, but I've been on the receiving end of it and I think a lot of people take advantage of the fact that they can't see how their words hurt others. The internet makes it very easy for people to hurl their abuse without dealing with the consequences.
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
25 May 07
I think I'm the same way online as I am offline. I try to be nice and treat people the way I would like to be treated. I think people are negative because they're hiding behind the computer screen and think they can say whatever they want with no consequences. It's too bad some people are that way?
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
26 May 07
yup. some think that they can be rude since they can't be seen personally. but it's not right. i hope people can be who they are online or offline. atleast be themselves and be nice.
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
26 May 07
that's what i have noticed here in myLot, too. been here for 9 months and i love the members in here. although there are still some here who are harsh.. but too little in number. hehe. i met friends here who are really nice... very very nice. i can even tell them personal problems and they are there for me to comfort me. as for me, i just be myself where i maybe.. online or in real life. it pays better to be who you are and be kind to everyone.
@milott (2646)
• India
25 May 07
It is indeed true that you find negativity in almost all the forums you encounter on the net and there will be people who will always criticise you no matter how good your behaviour is there. It has become part and parcel of forum these days, but mylot is exception here, i have not seen much of those negativity here and those who always insult. this is the speciality of mylot.
@mememama (3076)
• United States
25 May 07
You'll see it here too unfortunately, it's only a matter of time. People sometimes will rate you for thinking differently than them! I'm the same offline or online, I've only got one personality lol.
1 person likes this
• India
25 May 07
There are few who tend to be harsh and do insult but never be bothered. I did come across some forum where in people do speak out in a harsh way but there were some others who were at your help when ever there was some problem. It might be that being online people do not get to see other person and hardly care where the other person hails from and so may be tend to behave that way. In real life its like they get to meet people whom they might revisit and so they tend to behave more decently. I am the same in real and on net. Well never came across someone of such kind in My Lot.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Well, from time to time in the 8 months almost that I have been here in myLot, I have seen it happen from time to time, and it is Sad. I just feel that sometimes people when posting online places such as Forums etc. should not be so Hateful, and consider other people's thoughts, beliefs and Culture. We have people posting here from all walks of life, and around the world so people are bound to not agree all of the time. The nature of it should be if you disagree, do it with kindness, and not outright Bash someone or tell them they are wrong. Just my thoughts.
30 May 07
so far i havent experienced that way of negativity. actually i dont often go to specific topic that may affect to personal matter.In my way, for most of my post i only go in some of my current activity such as MMO and some relating to life around, but im just a listener and give out my viewpoint but not make somone frustrated. of course somehow we can not control of that happen but im always nice with everyone and if someone need me help for something within my ability then i will be happy to share and help.
@Katali (63)
• United States
26 May 07
The internet offers a venue for people to be anyone they choose to be. They can vent their frustrations. They can attempt to gain attention that they might not get elsewhere. Ever heard the phrase..."negative attention is better than no attention"? I think that's where some are coming from. Some want the spotlight on themselves and have a bad way of going about it, but it offers them a moment to be heard. I feel that it's sometimes easier to vent to strangers than it is to those you know well. The negativity is probably a matter of transference - transferring those unreleased feelings to strangers where the consequences are minimal. How these people act in the real world could be very different!
• United States
5 Jun 07
I try to be myself both online and off. Otherwise, I feel like a lie and a fraud . . . which are words I'd rather not equate myself to in any way. I admit, though, I'm more willing to speak up when people are being mean to me online than I am when they do it in real life. There's something about confronting someone face to face that intimiates me very badly, but I don't face that challenge online.