Why are people so rude on Facebook?
One answer I found by googling is that rudeness is actually a reflection of the content of the pages and people you surround yourself with. Facebook is a reflection of what is out there in the world. So does that mean chronic pain patients are basically rude? I don’t think that is true. I’ve been a member of CPP groups for 4 years, and it is only in the last year that I have gotten so turned off by the rudeness that I don’t even get involved in group discussions except to respond to comments on my own posts.
I do agree, however, with one article—that these people are online trolls or “haters.”
Trolling is internet slang for a person who intentionally starts arguments or upsets others by posting inflammatory remarks.
Purposes of Trolling
- To be a source of entertainment for the troller
- To be offensive and argumentative
- To derive pleasure from annoying the hell out of others
- To get attention
- To feel powerful
- To gain recognition
- To upset the victim
Trolling is often compared to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is deliberate and repeated harm inflicted through using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones.
Purpose of cyberbullying
- To get revenge
- To feel empowered
- To gain popularity
- To harass and threaten
- To be offensive
- To humiliate
- To intimidate
- To upset the victim
The anonymity factor contributes to online rudeness and trolls, but the latest research says that it’s actually a lack of eye contact that allows us to be particularly rude to people.
How does Social Media contribute to trolling?
Social exchange theory suggests that we analyze the costs and benefits of our communication and relationships. All in all, these factors precede the belief that the benefits of expressing oneself outweigh any costs. Anonymity and obscurity suggest you won’t be personally responsible. Perceived majority status, social identity salience, or being surrounded by friends means you believe that even if some people are upset or angry, you have more (or more important) people on your side, so you are winning more friends than you’re losing. Personality traits and desensitization may make offending or losing friends not seem like a real consequence, because those friends aren’t really “worth it” if they can’t handle the “truth,” or they aren’t really friends if they don’t agree with or tolerate you.
What effect does trolling have?
Why do online trolls affect us so much? Why do we take it so personally when—in reality—their trolling speaks far more to their mental health than ours?
People appreciate diplomacy. People appreciate being respected and heard. That’s why rudeness has such an effect on us psychologically. We feel immediately dismissed, put-upon, disrespected.
The Effect of Rudeness on Our Health
Rudeness spreads like a cold. Even witnessing rudeness is enough for us to become infected, psychologically, and for us to carry it with us after that. The psychological effects can lead to physical effects. Rudeness is almost like a neurotoxin, a poisonous substance that negatively affects our nervous system. As such, it affects the way we think, act, and feel and has a direct relationship with our brain health.
How can we curb trolling or cyberbullying?
Many experts contend that social media has contributed to an attitude of rudeness. But should it be allowed or accepted? I think not. But it is our responsibility to end it.
We need to call out rudeness when we see it. Engaging in a comment war probably won’t curb anyone’s behavior, but there are some things you can do to manage these types.
- Don’t respond. The best advice for dealing with being trolled is to ignore rather than engage with a troll. In other words, “Please do not feed the trolls.”
- Block the person(s).
- Keep a record of the derogatory remarks (screenshots, posts, etc. in case you need them as evidence in legal action.
Here is what I intend to do to trollers that attack me in the groups I am a member.
(And, if you want the trolling to end, I suggest you do this as well.)
One thing you have to be aware of is that the CPP groups house government trolls that say things just to create disharmony in the group. So following this suggestion should get rid of the government trolls as well.
If someone writes something ugly to me that is not deserved, I will respond with a single word Troll and include the link to this post. (doctorsofcourage.org/trolls/) I will then block them. If everyone did this, I think the environment of the FB groups would improve immediately.
Linda Cheek is a teacher and disenfranchised medical doctor, turned activist, author, and speaker. A victim of prosecutorial misconduct and outright law-breaking of the government agencies DEA, DHHS, and DOJ, she hopes to be a part of exonerating all doctors illegally attacked through the Controlled Substance Act. She holds the key to success, as she can offset the government propaganda that drugs cause addiction with the truth: The REAL Cause of Drug Abuse.
Get a free gift to learn how the government is breaking the law to attack your doctor: Click here to get my free gift
