The Witty Stride

– Satyakam Ray

Affordable internet connections have become widespread in India. Smartphone use has also increased. As a result, two unique species have emerged in the online space. One species is the Keyboard Warriors, and the other belongs to the comment-reading club. The comment section is typically placed below the content. This allows viewers to share their opinions. It also increases social interaction. Lately, though, maliciously provoking hatred has hampered the original intent. Still, there is hope left for betterment.

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of the topic.

Suppose a creator posts content online and receives many comments and views. These numbers vary depending on the quality of the content, social media reach, the creator’s personality, and gender. Positive and encouraging comments sometimes boost morale, while trolling or negative comments drain the creator’s energy.

Over the years, the Internet has been divided along political lines, with polarization, insecurity, and intolerance. If the content is sociopolitical, backlash from believers of the opposing ideology is inevitable. There will be strong opposition. They vehemently oppose the content. Sometimes, they threaten others who oppose them with insults, bickering, and fatal threats.

These keyboard warriors never set foot outside of their rooms. They judge others and engage with other internet users. They discuss any topic related to religion, sports, politics, or any other miscellaneous issues. The hegemony and arrogance speak volumes about their mental condition. These individuals are primarily responsible for the rampant trolling, hatred, and negativity on the internet.

Lack of social manners, exposure to the real world, hostile surroundings, and an unstable mindset lead to maniacal behavior. They often pretend to be the subjects’ pandits and expect others to listen to them without questioning their authority. This trait is omnipresent on the Internet, among teenagers and older persons alike. Biased viewpoints stem from a one-dimensional way of thinking.

Due to the influence of keyboard warriors, many people stay hesitant to express their opinions online. Instead, they read and react to the comments with likes or retweets. Responses are high for funny videos and memes. Many people even skip the original content to see the comments. Many keyboard warriors start trends in the comment section. They say things like, “Like button, hate button, I stand with your button,” and so on.

The comment-reading community typically comprises individuals who prefer to avoid negativity and keep a safe distance from it. This approach benefits mental health. Trolls and haters negatively impact the mental well-being of content creators. They also affect normal people who like to see good content.

The lack of any policing mechanism also creates a haven for trolls. Besides, sometimes, the trolls get caught by the police and the court.
A safe cyberspace should be created to support diverse opinions without harassment or trolling. Many examples are there when a person’s social media trolling gets the better of them, and then they commit suicide. So, the trolls and comment-reading club should inherit some basic humanity while going for sadistic pleasure.

What matters is good content, responsible comments, and healthy interaction with the comment reading club. Other things are gibberish. Let sanity prevail over hatred of the Internet for the betterment of cyberspace.