Student Thoughts: Beware the comment section

Sam Smith / Opinion Director

sam.smith@fiusm.com

Ever since the advent of the Internet, the capacity for the creation of user-generated content has skyrocketed. Some of that content, however, is less than admirable.

Although it is usually a false one, a certain sense of anonymity is granted to anyone with an online presence. This, of course, leads to a strange power-complex that most people don’t get in their waking lives, therefore a phenomenon where they feel as though the consequences of their actions are lessened when performed over a stable Internet connection.

The comment section of any piece on any website is often a dangerous place to venture. Whether trolling or harassing those whose works are published online, many commenters hide behind pseudonyms and anonymous settings in order to exercise what they believe to be their First Amendment rights. Not only is this a grave misunderstanding of what the Constitution intends for freedom of speech, it is nothing but harmful to the communities they tarnish.

The irony of this piece is the probability that some unnecessarily negative comment will be made about it upon its publication.

The “Free Speech” argument is a fallacy – the First Amendment of the United States Constitution is meant to protect its citizens from being silenced or censored by a government entity, and even that has its limits. For example, to truly threaten someone, to say or write obscenities or to to incite lawlessness is not condoned. Moreover, consequences of one’s words often come from parties outside the government – you can’t cite the First Amendment when your comment is taken down for reasons outlined in the terms of use on a website.

However, technicality is not the issue, here. The danger of the comment section is an issue created by our society. It is still unclear, all of the effects Internet use has upon the human psyche, but it is obvious that there are detriments that come with its benefits. When the CEO of Twitter admits that they “suck” at dealing with abuse, when online authors are forced into early retirement due to the inundation of threats on their websites, when people can’t participate in the golden age of social-media due to fear, something needs to change.

Although many comments add valuable discussion to any form of media, one must consider the potential for exposure to those which are most definitely not. The false sense of anonymity is what many people believe protects them from consequence, and all too often, it does just that. From crude insults to outright harassment, measures must be taken and enforced to make the Internet a positive space.

Additions to Terms of Use regarding commenting privileges, educational programs which emphasize the fact that just as much harm can be done in person as online, administrative action and efficient response times to reporting and  should be implemented to reduce the negativity online.

For too long we have stood by, idly allowing what could be the most interesting, engaging part of the Internet be viciously abused. Despite the need for a huge culture shift in the way people conduct themselves over the internet, “don’t read the comments” simply can’t be the answer anymore.