During the golden age of social media, apps such as Instagram and Twitter allowed people to interact and bond with others across the globe. The greatest part about social media and the internet, in general, is the ability to feel connected to others and form communities with people who share similar interests. Harry Potter fans can easily discover other “Potterheads” who also enjoy it, and even find specific online subspaces dedicated to the series. A user is more interested in Percy Jackson? No worries, the same spaces and number of people still exist – and they do for almost every fanbase – all available to join with practically no awkward conversations needed! Anybody can jump right in and have a completely mature conversation with someone they’ve never met before about whether Captain America or Iron Man is the superior superhero.
But just as life is, good things don’t always last. Toxicity and aggressiveness will always follow when people unite to bond over a franchise or piece of media. Online communities and fanbases, commonly referred to as “fandoms”, have a reputation for their negative impact on individuals in reality and in virtual spaces. These online platforms that, for many, were an escape from daily life are becoming detrimental to the mental health, and more importantly the sanity, of countless users.
With the accessibility of messaging strangers, spreading toxicity and hatred to others becomes easy, and hard to avoid when engaging in online activity. This mainly occurs because of the anonymity aspect that comes with being online. Although it’s not true that a person’s online reputation and actions cannot be traced, most people forget that, and the idea of being unknown gives others the power to behave in ways that wouldn’t normally be accepted face-to-face. It is common knowledge that it’s inappropriate to scream at some random teenager about why their opinion is wrong and that Zack Snyder is a filmmaking genius in public.
Though online behaviour and public behaviour are totally different concepts, sometimes you have to utilize common knowledge, sensibility, and the art of indifference if you want to survive in this age of misinformation, “hot takes”, rage baiting, and overall negativity.
To do this, you must follow these three principles.
- The block button is your best friend!
Back when social media was becoming more, and more mainstream, the companies that created them made a feature called “blocking”. This button gives users the superpower to cease all contact and interaction with users they don’t wish to associate with, the block button prohibits unwanted users from seeing your posts and stories, eliminating their presence entirely on your end. Not many people know about it because they like to fight imaginary unimportant battles nowadays. But not you! You’re smarter than that! The next time you see a post by a Star Wars fan ranting about how feminism and equality have destroyed the series, consider the big red button.
- It’s not that deep.
These four words will change your outlook on life itself. Sometimes you have to take a step back and consider if that post you saw on Twitter really did impact your life drastically, or if you just need to follow the example of Brazil and delete the app. Although this phrase can sometimes be used to invalidate genuine problems, it can also be extremely reassuring and eye-opening. The reality is, that the world does indeed keep spinning and while the arguments made with others may be about serious topics, these people’s minds often will not be changed by an internet argument they are holding with a high schooler Sometimes the things people argue about online don’t matter in the long run; something really easy to forget when our rage is fueled by passion and irritation. The next time you’re in an argument with someone about the Percy Jackson movies remember this golden rule, and it will suddenly put your annoyance in perspective.
- “Touch Grass”
Sometimes, the best thing to do is take your own advice – or the advice people on the internet are kind enough to give you! “Touch grass” is essentially a more modern version of a phrase that was directed at almost every Gen-Z kid who either read or played video games too much – “go outside.” Believe it or not, going outside is practically a checkmate in the world of online toxicity. It’s not just a power move, it’s a statement. Go for a walk and bask in the fresh sunlight (or the freezing cold Canadian snow!). At least you’ll be getting much more fresh air than the average internet troll, so, who are they to tell you what to do?
Now with these weapons provided to you, go out into the cruel world of the internet like the brave knight you are and slay those trolls!
