"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." It was a catchphrase my parents and grandparents would tell me when I was a child, and it was one that I passed on to my children. In fact, I believe it was an important piece of advice offered to many people.
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Sadly, it would seem not everyone got the message if some of the comments on social media are any indication. Perhaps, the phrase needs a rework to note that writing hurtful comments on social media can be equally damaging.
No, I have not recently been the target of nasty comments. In fact, I post very little on social media and as such provide little opportunity for such personal attacks. I do like to scroll. Perhaps you could call me a sticky beak as I check out what my friends are doing. I especially love their holiday pics. But, I am fairly selective about who I have as friends on my page and for the most part the engagement on the pages of these friends is kind, encouraging and even inspiring.
However, I have joined a few community groups linked to the area in which I live or where I grew up. This is where I often see nasty comments sneak into the mix. I rarely engage on these pages, other than to like a post, but the vitriol sometimes entered in the comment section can be shocking, as can be the targeted criticisms to other people on the page.
I understand that people have different opinions on matters, and constructive criticism or a different viewpoint is a right for all. I actually respect a well-presented counter comment. But I can never understand why people need to become meanspirited with personal attacks simply because they don't agree with the opinion of another. I have noted that the same names are regularly linked to these attacking comments.
This raises the question "are these keyboard warriors simply trolls intent on stirring problems at every opportunity or are they struggling with far deeper issues which have them lashing out at everyone else in an attempt to find their voice?".
Perhaps it is a mix of both and I'm not sure what it takes to change this agressive attitude. The power of limiting such attacks firmly lies with the page administrators, and Facebook in general. However, I think it is important for others to not engage. Be mindful that often such negativity offers little or no capacity for reasonable discussion.
Scrolling past aggressive posts is my permanent option. I have made a personal pact with myself to never comment or engage on these posts in any way. More importantly, I strive to ensure any comment I make is intended to boost people rather than bring them down. Perhaps the following quote by Robert Louis Stevenson is another phrase to infuse into our lives. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant."
