The person behind your screen

We've all come across those comments and posts on social media that were constructed to emotionally attack either an individual or a group of people. Unfortunately, this is because rather than having a civil debate, people choose to say harmful things. These people are able to direct hurtful comments towards people because there is a disconnection caused by our screens. When people, mainly children, look at devices and see comments that contradict our own ideas, the first reaction is to lash out. Adults aren't exempt from this reoccurring action on the internet.

For children, this behavior is especially harmful because at this early age, their brains are still developing. As these actions are normalized on the internet, the line between the online world and real life starts to become blurred. This damaging behavior is understood as acceptable, which makes people resort to name-calling over utilizing the patience, manners, and intellectual ability we learn as we grow.

I feel like this problem can be solved if we teach those on the internet to always remember that their comments are always being received by a real person, someone who has feelings like all people do. We need to reinforce the manners we are taught in real life, and apply them to the internet.