Why People Are Rude Online

[icyfroth]

IF you’ve ever ventured into the comments section of a news story online you’ll notice a fairly even split of considered responses and outright hatred. There is rarely an exception.

You might’ve heard the phrase “keyboard warriors”— a fitting description for those fighting a rightous cause hunched over their qwerty.

But have you ever stopped to consider why people feel invincinble online? Or why they get so angry? A study in the US helps explain half of it.

Arthur Santana, a communications professor at the University of Houston, analysed hundreds of comments on stories from the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Houston Chronicle and USA Today.

His findings, published in the New Yorker, revealed a “perceptible difference” in the nature of comments from users who revealed their identity and those who posted anonymously.

Of the hundreds of comments, 53 per cent of anonymous commenters were uncivil, as opposed to only 29 per cent of non-anonymous commenters. Their behaviour is rooted in three words: Online. Disinhibition. Effect.

Entire Article Here

"fighting a rightous cause hunched over their qwerty." I guess that makes me a "keyboard warrior" lol. I try to be civil, though.

[azureline**]

I think it's just their real nature.

[rainpattern]

Well I guess in general society they're contained/restrained by standards of conduct/expression etc (LOL some) but the perceived  "anonimity" of a keyboard brings out their worst side. 

[lurker172602]

I quite often have conversations with myself that go along the lines of: "Should I say/type that?", "No, it's not polite" , "But no one knows who I am" , "That doesn't matter, would you say it to someone in person?" , "No" , "Well just let it go then "

Works for me 😇😀

[bright.ton42]

I think people can become passionate about their beliefs and it can come across as rudeness. Same in real life. 

Others are just plain rude.

[imastawka]

I'm a lot more rude and abrupt in real life   lol    

That's why all my friends live in here

[goldenjet16]

Good to know I'm one of your friends.......

[cherry*135]

I have rude, interpersonal comments directed at me, from the op of this thread! Most recent ones yesterday!

I am not the only one they are directed at either.

[j*oono]

Yes but this is a baiting thread Am and you just swallowed the hook.

[the_great_she_elephant]

I think it's a variation on Godwin's Theory. when someone resorts to personal abuse and name-calling, it's a sign they've lost the argument.