EDITORIAL
Does it really have to be that nasty? Would you say that to someone’s face?
That’s the question that adults and teenagers all have to think about, as more and more conversations are held online, on Facebook, on Myspace, with emails, with texts, with tweets.
There is a mean mob mentality out there, and Buda and Kyle are not immune. This change in attitudes has been attributed to something called “drive-by anonymity.”
The vitriolic responses seem to be posted without thought. There is the instant gratification factor of challenging someone, rather than thinking through an issue.
Maybe it comes from the “me-me-me” mentality.
In years past, when someone wanted to voice their opinion through the Hays Free Press letter to the editor section, they had to sit down write about a subject, print it out, put it in the mail. That all took time – and resulted in a cooling off period.
Now, the vitriol that spews is faceless and instantaneous.
The comment section of the newspaper website is supposed to encourage “meaningful dialogue” – a discussion about the story, about issues. But instead, a lot of recent comments have gone off the deep end, turning into slams, pitting one side against another, Hays vs. Lehman, Republican vs. Democrat, me vs. you.
The crassness of the responses has driven the Hays Free Press to take down messages, or publicly reprimand the public “message-senders” that their comments are inappropriate, hurtful or downright nasty. We have had to remove posted comments about individuals.
What needs to happen, whether on internet comment sections, on Facebook, in texting, is a bit of space – a breath, a slowing down period, a visual of the person who will be receiving the message. Because, yes, there is an actual human being on the other end of the message, who can and will take the slights personally.
Hays CISD has put on workshops for parents and teachers alike, explaining the problems and pervasiveness of cyber-bullying.
But students learn this attitude. If parents spew hateful messages, why not the students? If they post harsh words, something they would not say to another person’s face, then a child will follow suit.
Maybe that’s the message here – take a breath. Before posting comments, count to 10 – or even 20. Wait. Think. Imagine receiving such a message and think about how it would feel.
The internet is a great tool. It is a way to bring about changes in a nation. There is an interconnection that brings old friends from around the world together.
But it must be used responsibly. We teach by example. And by our posts.
