Why are people such jerks on the internet?

[Champion RD92 8,658]

We've all seen people being hateful to others on the internet. It's almost impossible to go onto any comments section without seeing hateful, insulting comments aimed at others just for having a different opinion than they do. But why do people feel the need to act this way? I'm pretty sure these people wouldn't act like this in real life, so why act this way on the internet? Just because it's anonymous and you can get away with it? That's no reason to be an asshole to other people.

 

I see people spend their time doing nothing but insulting other people and hating on other people just for liking something they don't like. Why waste your time doing nothing but hating on people? Why not just accept that they like something you don't and move on with your life? It doesn't affect you, so why do you care? I just don't get it. Why be an asshole? What do you get out of it? Instead of spreading hate, why don't people start accepting others? I'm not saying that everyone has to accept everyone else, but there is too much hatred being spread around for absolutely no good reason, and it's ridiculous. There's no reason for anyone to act like an asshole to other people, even on the internet. Thoughts?

Edited November 30, 2013 by Champion RD92

[Mr. Critical 434]

I like to think the internet brings out peoples inner nature, with less consequences in reality.

[Gears of Halo Duty V 394]

 

Pretty much everything you will need to know.

[Champion RD92 8,658]

 

Pretty much everything you will need to know.

 

Just because you can be anonymous isn't a good reason to be an asshole. I still try to be a nice person towards people on the internet, even if I disagree with them about something. The only time I would be rude to someone is if they are being an asshole to me first.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

This is why I like MLPforums. It lends it's self to being more positive. I know it's not completely free of negativity, but there's a lot less here than anywhere else I've looked.

[Champion RD92 8,658]

This is why I like MLPforums. It lends it's self to being more positive. I know it's not completely free of negativity, but there's a lot less here than anywhere else I've looked.

 

True, but unfortunately, even on MLP Forums, I've seen people act like assholes. It's sad, but that's just how it is. :/

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Because some people react to complete anonymity and feeling secure you can do and say whatever you without repercussions or real-world consequences very badly. The temptation to turn loose you're inner asshole can be a powerful thing.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Shoboni

[Scootalove 10,689]

I just wish people could just let things go and not assume that when someone states their opinion that they will only attack their opinion if it's different from their own. Spreading hate and hating one another on the internet is totally uncalled for, the internet can change a person's view on life or change how they act. The very sad truth.

[Rinkitty 589]

It's simple, really. They think there's no consequence. You can say the most hurtful things, and stay anonymous.

 

I don't think it's an excuse, but it's just easier to be an asshole with your fingers, rather than your mouth.

 

That sounds so wrong...

[Homura Akemi 974]

That is a very similar question to "Why are people such jerks in real life?" Rude people exist everywhere, no matter what country you live in, what language you speak, or what your occupation is. Some do it because they love to ruin everyone's day, and others are blind to their own snobbish personalities. 

Edited November 30, 2013 by Homura Akemi

[POW 384]

Well some people do it because they enjoy seeing the agony of others on the internet they know will probably never see in real life so they think: "Hehe I'm gonna be an asswipe because this loser will never see me irl." People are just like that but in the end you just gotta let it go because the asswipe does have a point in that you may never see that person in real life. Me, well I act on here like I do in real life. Being stupidly nice [:

[Smarts 1,623]

Because they don't have to fear the consequences. Online, no one knows where you live and won't be able to find you. So, people have this mindset of "Well, I'm perfectly safe online, so I can be a total jerk and make people feel horrible". These people are absolute filth and really do make the internet a bad place. -_-

[Rainbow Dash Loyalty 1,275]

Because you can be anyone on the internet, whether you're a really nice person online when you're really an asshole in real life or if you're a douchebag online and actually a victim of being bullied in reality. I can sort of understand why people do it, but I don't know why they do it, if people can just reflect on themselves and see what they're actually doing then they should realize how much of a dick they are.

It could be for their own selfish entertainment, which is incredibly dick-headed for a person to enjoy themselves by watching someone else suffer. I hate it when people like that get away with it as well, they can practically do anything on the internet without feeling shame so they can keep doing what they're doing...It's pathetic and pitiful...

[Kulstor 254]

I think there are multiple reasons.  Some folks are just jerks, either naturally or they enjoy it.  Others may be due to the anonymity that the internet offers, letting them say & do things they would not do in real life with the person standing near to where they were.   Perhaps bringing out more of their true nature.

[Moonlight 7,287]

Because people remain anonymous and they believe they can get away with saying anything, no matter how severe. Some people, like myself, are sadists, so that might be another reason why some treat each other badly on the internet or even in real life. Or people could just stop acting like immature assholes....but I don't see that happening any time soon.

[Ampharos 1,009]

 

Pretty much everything you will need to know.

 

This honestly sums it up entirely. 

[RED20 289]

'Cuz they want people to think they're tough, when they aren't. 

[Sugar Pea 2,682]

It's because in reality, they don't act as tough as they do behind the monitor where no one can do anything. 

[Jadefire 2,797]

Most of the jerks you meet on the internet are actually regular good people in real life. It has to do with internet anonymity: if you have a wide audience to say things to, plus complete anonymity to ensure that you will have no consequences, then the ability to be a jerkass becomes very appealing. Most people aren't saints (statistically speaking, most of you in this thread has felt some very negative things about other people, such as members of political parties that are rivals to your own or to bad drivers or people in front of you in line or what have you), so it becomes fun to let some of that inner jerkassness out when there will be no consequences for doing so.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

From my personal experience with such people I've concluded that receive no real negative repercussions for it and are more or less anonymous online, so their real life identities and reputation are protected, so they either use it as some form of outlet for their own twisted sense of amusement.

[Legacy Dash 439]

Cause they anonymous, as alot of others are saying. No one can really do anything about it, or confront them in real life.

[PoniesPlease 365]

Because there are no consequences to Internet Assholery. Anything you do is beneath the standards others have set, because the standards set are Child Pr0n, Shock Sites, Racism et al.

 

A good rule to go by is "The Bigger the asshole on the web, the bigger the frustrated micropenis dweeb they are IRL."

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

They are jerks because they can get away with it. Being anonymous means you can get away with a lot more than you could if people knew who you were.

[Eureka 1,119]

Rude people exist no matter what. On the Internet, you are completely anonymous so people think they can get away with everything. The other half of the jerks, are trolls who have nothing better to do but tick off people. And some people just like to fight.

[Zygen 6,066]

Well, it's because of many reasons. First of all your anonymous so what you do won't have many consequences, where as in real life it could come back to bite you more easily.

 

I mean realistically there's nothing stopping me or anyone from being as much a jerk as I desire, sure I'd get banned, but I could go somewhere else, and the actual consequences are mostly minor.

 

Of course I'm a nice person irl and nice here because I don't act like that, but you understand.

 

It can also be because they want to intimidate someone by acting tougher then they actually are, because again you can say whatever to people online, and not have to worry about the other guy punching your jaw clean off, or anyone getting after you really.

 

So they kind of try to create a tough persona, so that people fear them. Maybe for multiple reasons like being bullied irl or abused, or other reasons. Of course we know that doesn't help much but yeah.

 

And it can even just be that it's easier to say things to others online via text message format then vocally. Including nicer stuff and including more rude things.

 

This and many more things lead to people acting generally more mean online.

 

Sure people shouldn't do that, but people aren't perfect, so many still do act like jerks.

 

I try my best to be kind, irl or not.