Does the internet make people more rude to one another?

Question

Is the internet making people more unkind to one another?

Answer 1

Yes,

Answer 2

Whilst I agree that some people are rude on here, you should not confuse rudeness with direct honesty. Some of the answers I give could easily be construed as rudeness, but the fact is if you ask a question I am going to give you a direct honest opinion. A lot of people who ask questions on here want everyone to agree with their thinking and get upset when they do not. Then you get the people who will agree with the question just to make 10 points which is also very odd. I find that Americans are particularly sensitive to honest, down to earth answers. Yes, I am an American, but have lived in other countries I am no different in real life. You ask me a question I will tell you honestly. Am I mentally deranged, sometimes, you bet LOL I had lots of love from a wonderful Mother so that is not my problem. I have to admit I do tell people to stop posting pictures of themselves when they post every week and ask "am I pretty" will you rate me out of 10. Anyway good question. have a great day!!!

Answer 3

The internet's not making people be more unkind, I think the people on here that are spiteful and unpleasant are already like that, the anonymity they find on here is what makes it easier for them to write the malicious and unkind things. It would very hard for some of them to create such nasty online persona's and to keep them going for so long unless that's how they are in their everyday lives.
And I think on here, Yahoo Answers, it's even easier for them to get away with it because Yahoo seem to aid and abet them. I've had innocent questions deleted within an hour, yet the really nasty cruel posts are still there.
The internet is a wonderful instrument, wasted in the hands of fools

Answer 4

I wouldn't go as far to as to say it makes everyone rude but it does afford the opportunity for those who don't know how to address people properly either in person or in letter.
They can hide behind their screen and just rant and rave because they feel safe knowing they don't have to face what they are so rudely saying.
I do think it affords a lot of people who would not usually be rude the opportunity to spout off at the mouth about issues they would never attempt to do in person. They feel safe not facing someone but forget that 9 times out of 10 they will see that person face to face.
I see it a lot here on Yahoo Q&A when people come off with totally ignorant, racial or hurtful answers just because they can. Those are the ones I try not to deal with.
Interesting question, another one today that actually used the thought process!!! Cheers to you and a star!!!

Answer 5

Personally, I try not to be any more rude on line than I would be in person. I do think however that a lot of people feel more comfortable being jerks because of the anonymity factor of being on the Internet.

Answer 6

Yes because you can swear at people as much as you want and you may see them the next day on street and they don't know that you are the same peson who insulted them. lol.
Also, if a person goes on street and makes racist statements, he/she will go to jail, however, you can make as much racist statements on the internet and nobody will sue you.

I didn't get rude, I am just learning more things everyday. I do say painful facts sometimes and "fight" with people about them but I am not rude... just a little bit

Answer 7

I think it is because they portray theirselves a bit differently, on the internet, so they see theirselves as better than everyone else. Also, they may think that they are smarter than other people without computers, which is a total lie. And i guess, just because THEY CAN. I don't be mean on the internet! hope I helped! =)

p.s. some ways of being rude is: cyber bullying, profanity, and possibly stalking.

Answer 8

Yes because a person can be totally anonymous on the "net." I play at a couple of game sites daily and belong to a few forums and alot of the people have rude, insensitive and bullying tendancies.

Answer 9

The interent doesn't make people more rude, it just allows people to say whats on their mind. A lot of people are afraid to say what is on their mind in front of others but on the computer others do not know them to judge them. For example (and this might be a strange example but lets just say) ur driving and one of ur family members cuts you off, you will not curse at them But if it is someone u dont know, you will start flicking them off, beeping at them, or cursing them out. The internet lets people say what is really on their minds without people even knowing who they are.

Answer 10

Yes, for a similar reason that drivers are. There is a certain anonymity that some people think they can get away with stuff because others don't know them. Things they normally wouldn't do or say if face-to-face.
Sad really. I think that lack of respect starts with low self-esteem.

Answer 11

Ever heard the phrase Brave Behind the Glass? That is the internet. You wouldn't say it to someone's face (hopefully not anyway).