I think social media has made people meaner to others. In stanning culture particularly, I think a lot of people are nasty behind avatars of their favorite idolized popstar (no offense to those who have their fave as an avi who are actually wonderful, supportive, articulate fans).

Beauty/attractiveness & wanting to fit in are basically a part of human nature (aka since the beginning of the human race) so its fitting these are a part of mass social media. However, I think these pressures have increased due to social media and thus increased insecurity in some & narcissism in others. These insecurities can transcend to insults directed towards our stars, & even our friends & peers.

I love social media because I believe it can be a powerful tool & offer unique insight into interesting people. However, I think a lot of people don't take advantage of it & end up just blending in. People that could stand out & articulate intelligent, humorous thoughts instead try to do/say what everyone else is doing/saying. And the people who do not fit in, whether physically or personality-wise, either end up feeling jealous, sad or bullied.

Thoughts?

YES. Social media may not be the major problem, but there's definitely something that wasn't here 15 years ago. I agree with everything you said.

I think the internet in general has made people meaner. When you can hide behind the internet and bully and harass people with anonymity, you become 100 times braver. It's pretty sad. If people were forced to post their real name and picture, half of the stuff they do now would stop in seconds.

We all want to fit in with the popular opinion, I get it. I don't get the need to trash someone else to make yourself look or feel more important. Especially when people look at you the same way in real life.

Definitely. People think just because they're "anonymous" or whatever that they can say whatever they want about someone and make rude comments because "it's just the internet" that it's not a big deal. It all boils down to whether it's right. It's okay to make a joke here and there but the whole "Dragging" mess is becoming too much but people praise that so it continues. It makes them feel good about themselves for whatever reason.

Yes, anonymity brings out a feeling in people to vent their true feelings that they would never admit to in public.

I disagree if your an asshole online you are one offline as well, I think if anything the internet has given us an opportunity to see what people really think, believe and truly feel.

Yes. There are some people that genuinely would bully even if they were standing in front of the person in real life, but that's a minority. Most internet bullies are extremely insecure, unhappy, and probably have been bullied themselves so they turn themselves into the "powerful" bully online to feel better about themselves and feel like they have some control. There's no risk of the person you're aggravating hitting you or anybody in your real life finding out about what you're saying when you're fighting with someone on the internet so it makes people feel safe to let their worst thoughts out and act like jackasses I'd love it if everybody was forced to put their real names and unedited pictures of themselves up whenever they posted something on the internet because they'd probably clean up their act real quick. Another perk of the internet is you can act like you're some perfect popular person even if you're not and people get too caught up in their fantasy world.

The internet has given people the ability to say things that they WOULD NOT say to someone's face. everybody and they momma got a blog, or a website, or a social media account. Its easy to talk **** about someone from behind a router. Bet you they shut all the way fukk up if they see em in person though.

The internet is too big, and too customizable to your personal needs for cyber bullying to ever be a problem. You dont need a Twitter. The only time its really a problem is if that online hate translates to offline hate, then there's a problem. If Ifckwithpeople69 sends me hate messages, I could just put his ass on ignore, or block. No one on the internet should push you to kill yourself lmao.

The anonimity brought with the Internet has given people who usually don't matter in real life a tool to express themselves, and most of these people use it to secretly attack others

It's just a way for people to say what they're actually thinking, versus the PC sh*t we're expected to say when around good company.

i don't get people who tweet insults at celebrities at public figures, even when they have slighted a "fave" or friend or whatever. Honestly, it just creates such a petty culture of outrage at the drop of a pin. A little snide remark from a D-List celebrity ala Keri Hilson or Amanda Bynes enraging a gaggle of teenagers or young adults is as petty and probably more stupid than the original remark itself.

It seems to be part of a growing pattern though, where people feel like they deserve to be heard and respected, and in some cases, worshipped. When balanced, it makes sense and is healthy. At the extremes, it is literally too much, and calls into use the phrase: Get a Life. There's more in this World than pop culture, politics, unfairness, and outrage. Go watch nature, volunteer, or read a good book if you are that bored with your life