Navigating the toxic landscape of social media: A call for kindness

I was raised to believe that if you don’t have something kind to say, it’s better to say nothing at all.

While I understand that not everyone grows up with the same values, one would hope that basic human decency would guide people toward compassion rather than cruelty. 

Unfortunately, in today’s world, especially on social media, more and more people are opting to be unnecessarily unkind. 

Social media has become a breeding ground for this.

Hiding behind fake accounts and made-up names, people happily post cruel or mocking comments.

Even more troubling, some do so openly, using their real names, seemingly unfazed by the damage they might be inflicting.

Recently, radio presenter Sibongile Mafu highlighted this issue in a TikTok video, reflecting on how quickly people resort to being mean online. 

She pointed to a harmless post, where someone was simply asking for suggestions, and noted how it was met with unnecessarily rude replies.

Mafu offered a possible explanation, saying that some people turn to unkindness as a coping mechanism.

“Because things are bad outside, so we're just gonna like hurt each other,” she said.

But what often gets overlooked in these conversations is the toll this behaviour takes on mental health. 

Mean-spirited comments don’t just disappear after they’re posted. 

For the person on the receiving end, they can leave lasting emotional wounds.

Studies have shown that people who are constantly exposed to negative online interactions can experience increased feelings of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. 

Being publicly shamed or belittled online, especially repeatedly, can erode a person’s sense of self-worth and belonging. 

And while some may dismiss online cruelty as “just words” and tell not to take it to heart, the mental and emotional impact is very real.

It’s not just celebrities or influencers who experience this.

Ordinary people, who simply enjoy posting everyday content, can often be easily subjected to unsolicited ridicule. 

The psychological strain of constantly bracing for criticism can make social media a toxic space instead of a platform where people can connect with each other.

As Mafu wisely concludes, people need to find healthier ways to cope with their struggles and frustrations. 

Channelling pain into more pain only perpetuates a cycle that harms everyone.

It costs nothing to be kind, but the price of cruelty is far greater than most realise.

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IOL Lifestyle