David Campbell: We say things online we’d never say in person

WHY do we say things online we would NEVER say to someone’s face? David Campbell wants us to back away from the online comments box.

David Campbell refuses to believe we’re as divided as online comment sections suggest. Picture: Nigel Lough.

I MEAN, it’s right there, isn’t it? Staring at you. Coaxing you. Taunting you. “Look, you have read this article,” it says seductively, “but you know what would finish it off perfectly? What the writer of the article didn’t say? What is on your mind right now… Go on. You’ve had a crap day. Say something funny. Something pithy, something you would NEVER say in public or to this person’s face.”

The comment box. It seems innocent enough. Probably something you or I hadn’t really noticed in our many years on the internet. There was a time you would read articles and move on with your life. You might discuss your thoughts with a friend or loved one over coffee. How outraged you were, how hilarious it was, did you see what that person did to their face or notice how much weight they gained?

Then came Facebook. Then we really saw it. We used it. We shared our thoughts on baby photos and memories. We were funny (well, we thought so). We lol-ed and lol-ed. So, when did the lol-ing become trolling?

When did we feel the need to say things we would NEVER say to someone’s face? When did we start becoming crueller?

Here’s the thing. We are not adding to the discussion anymore. Most of the time we are simply being snarky.

The thing is, years ago, trolls were nasty internet people. Maybe found on Twitter, or in their parents’ basement drinking Red Bull. They were far removed from us.

However, the more we use the comment box, the more we start sliding into trolling.

It may start innocently with your first “Who?” at an article about a celebrity. (Pat yourself on the back. Seriously, first time that joke was ever made.) Then it moves on to a gentle, “Is this news?” (Nice one.) Next thing you know, you are drawing comparisons to Hitler because someone is hindering your freedom of speech. (Obvs.)

Here’s the thing. We are not adding to the discussion anymore. Most of the time we are simply being snarky. We’ve had a bad day and happen to have clicked on this story at a bad moment, so we fire off a comment when we don’t need to.

I have a suggestion. Let’s stop. Walk away, finish whatever it is we’re doing and come back later. If it’s really burning a hole in the front of your brain, then OK. However, it probably isn’t. It’s just an article. Someone’s opinion. Someone’s story. Someone else’s story. It has no bearing to anything in our actual lives.

If we read the comment boxes alone, it would appear this nation is completely divided. Left vs. right. Right vs. wrong. Hate vs. a bit more hate. But I don’t believe comment boxes are a reflection of what we really are as a society.

The thing about the comment box is that it is a suggestion. Not an order. Maybe we would be better off not using it for a while? See how we go. There is no way we would say half the things we say in these boxes to someone’s face. Seriously, it can be downright awful.

So, please don’t comment. For a while. See how you go. If you are reading this online, leave it blank.

But if you are reading this with a loved one over coffee, then have at it. I am not there and cannot hear you. You have my full blessing.

David Campbell co-hosts Today Extra, 9am, weekdays, on the Nine Network.