I HATE the Wonderful Internet

[Seatan]

Does anybody else ever feel like the internet is the ultimate downer? Like the place where friends can quietly talk behind your back, where people can be cruel without recourse, and where the lack of accountability can turn a normally nice person into a psychological bully in an instant? It seems like the only times I shed tears are because of things that happen on the internet. There's so much wonderful information, so many amazing people to meet, but it can be SUCH a cruel place. My best friend, who I adore in real life, just hurt my feelings BAD by basically trying to leave me out of something and I have no way of knowing if she really was trying to leave me out and she is just now covering her ass with "well, the reason we didn't accept your thing was blah blah blah" or if the junk she's saying is true. I have no tone of voice or facial expressions to go off of, she won't answer my phone calls, she disappeared from IM. So now after a GREAT day of SCUBA diving, making kissy faces at perch, I feel like CRAP. All because of the wonderful internet--and I don't mean that sarcastically. It IS wonderful, most of the time, but it can also be one of the most hurtful places on earth. I have NEVER been as badly hurt by people in the Real World as I have by people on the Net, not even close. It almost makes you afraid to join forums like this because you know, eventually, something hurtful will probably happen, something that NEVER would have happened in person. It really makes me wonder if it's worth it at times like this. Maybe I should say 'screw the Net' and stick to the real world. But then you miss out on meeting so many new people. I dunno. Excuse my depressed purge.

[PearlieMae]

She doesnt sound much like a good friend at all, in real life or online.

It took me a long time and a lot of hurt feelings to realize that the internet isn't a real place as far as interpersonal relationships go. DON'T take anything here seriously! Including this! Haha!

All that really counts is how you live your life in real life! You had a great day scuba diving? Awesome! That's more than 99% of the people on the internet spent their Saturday!

The internet is a semi-interesting cocktail party you can choose to leave at any time.

Friends that treat you badly are not friends, or worth your time or energy. Move on and find new friends. Plenty of fish in the sea!

[AniaR]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I do feel it's harder for teenagers these days, and studies are backing that up. Couple that with the fact most kids arent being taught critical media literacy to help them navigate the internet, or internet safety. In Canada we have a lot of PSAs about it and it's finally working into the school curriculum.

I think the internet allows people who wouldnt normally be able to talk in social settings a way to speak, people who are shy, may have autism etc. But it also enables sociopaths to easily stalk and harass others. The thing is, there arent as many bad people as it seems. The bad people just enjoy making it seem like there are more of them. I have met my fair share of sociopaths lol

[WillowAnne]

Oh yea. I teach, and it is SO hard for us to "prove" that someone is being bullied through social media, for instance. Kids will tweet, then delete the tweet before it has been screenshotted. For instance, a threat (can't say more than that here) that was posted on twitter caused 2/3 (I'm not kidding!) of the ENTIRE school to miss the day before christmas break. We had finals that day, and in a class of 30, I had maybe 4-8 kiddos show up. It's crazy how fast people can communicate and bully and spread gossip and lies, and how hard it really is to police that stuff.

[tinadash]

I completely understand where you're coming from. The internet can be a double-edged sword, offering amazing opportunities and connections but also exposing us to hurtful behavior. It's difficult not being able to read tone or facial expressions, which can make misunderstandings even worse. It's good to take breaks from the online world when it gets too much. On a lighter note, has anyone tried airtalk wireless (https://airtalk-wireless.pissedconsumer.com/review.html) for staying connected? It’s important to find a balance that works for you. Hang in there and remember to prioritize your well-being.