This month, I received several emails at [email protected] expressing frustration with online interactions.
Whether the topics were local or global, the sentiment was clear: social media has become a battleground for both constructive and destructive behaviour.
On one side, we have keyboard warriors—individuals who passionately advocate for their beliefs through social media but often resort to controversial or aggressive tactics.
On the other, we encounter trolls—those who deliberately create conflict, make abusive comments, and seek to spread hate or cause drama. Both groups, hidden behind the anonymity of their screens, wreak havoc in our community.
Here in Delta, this dynamic plays out daily in the threads of our local community Facebook groups.
The sense of security provided by online interaction encourages people to say things they would never express face-to-face. This lack of accountability leads to a range of harmful consequences for our community. Victims of online harassment may experience severe emotional distress, leading to anxiety, depression, and withdrawal from society. Local businesses are not immune either; negative trolling can harm their brand image, deter potential customers, and create public relations nightmares.
The broader community suffers as well. Hate speech, false information, and toxic interactions damage the quality of online conversation on platforms intended to foster healthy communities. Many people take the information posted on these community groups as fact, making the spread of misinformation to have far-reaching implications, influencing public opinion and undermining trust in legitimate sources of information.
So, what happened to civilized discussion and kindness? It seems they have become relics of a forgotten era, and the security of hiding behind a keyboard has stripped away the basic human decency that once grounded public debate.
As a society, we must find ways to reclaim respectful dialogue and hold individuals accountable for their online behaviour. Encouraging platforms to enforce stricter anti-harassment policies, promoting digital literacy, and fostering a culture of empathy and respect are crucial steps toward mitigating the damage caused by keyboard warriors and trolls alike. In Delta, we have the power to set a positive example and restore a sense of community, both online and offline.
