Why is Twitter so toxic?

Why is Twitter so toxic?

With over 150 million daily users, Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms. It’s a platform that allows you to share your thoughts on almost anything;  it also becomes a tool for people to mock others. It’s simple to see why Twitter is so toxic. Twitter is so toxic because people can freely share their erroneous opinions. This includes the possibility of false information spreading. When false news is spread, it elicits a wide range of emotional responses from people, adding to the platform’s toxicity. So, today we’ll look at the four reasons why Twitter has become a toxic platform; for raging bullies and the best way to avoid potential cyberbullying.

Misinformation and Fake News Spread

The use and spread of misinformation is one of the leading causes of toxicity on Twitter. In fact, fake news spreads at a rate that is roughly 70% higher than accurate information; and people, not bots, frequently spread it!

For example, during the 2016 U.S. presidential election; Floyd Mayweather; was rumoured to have worn a hijab to a Donald Trump rally. Like many other fake news websites and articles, the general public took this too seriously.

How does this contribute to Twitter’s toxicity?

When people see new information that is likely to shock them, they have a stronger emotional reaction. It has a much greater impact than seeing accurate information they’ve previously responded to. If people are sensitive to it; they will experience a wide range of emotions in response to specific news and events; that they believe are real but are not!

If you come across any false news, be sure to read Twitter’s reporting misinformation policies.

Unfiltered Opinions Lead to More Hate Speech

Twitter is unpolished. You can join groups that share almost any opinion that does not violate the community’s guidelines. Unfortunately, this also implies that there will be groups dedicated to destroying other people’s points of view. The app does everything behind a screen. Of course, this makes it easier for trolls to mock anyone online without fear of repercussions!

However, there is a way for you to avoid receiving hate speech at your digital door. Simply make a private list of user topics you are particularly interested in, and follow them intently to view and share opinions. The addition of false news being shared on the platform adds more fuel to the fire when people can let go of the majority of what has been hiding within them. When you combine that with a limited character count; you have a powerful force of tweets that can blast through anything in its path.

A Low Character Count Increases the Negativity

Twitter allows you to type almost anything up to 280 characters. Nice and short for a quick opinion. However, it is also brief enough to share a ‘wild thought’ for the day. The disadvantage of a low character count is that it allows you to form unfiltered sentences of unfinished opinions. As a result, this can either confuse people or make them doubt the authenticity of the app’s users. After all, one short paragraph isn’t going to get you a good conversation or a thought-provoking opinion.

Yes, you can create a Twitter thread by replying to your tweets; but your followers will usually only read the first tweet. If that tweet is about an opposing viewpoint and is incomplete (due to the limited character count); people may find it offensive, and their emotions begin to spread. They don’t follow up on that thread, and your explanations go unnoticed.

An even bigger issue arises when politicians and celebrities express their views on social media apps. Because of their greater clout, their words frequently incite more trolling and hateful behavior toward others, including themselves! Because Twitter displays tweets on the homepage without displaying the entire thread; many people may see a distorted image of the original post. When misunderstood tweets are exposed to large groups of people with opposing viewpoints; a barrage of harassing tweets aimed at the original tweet and the user can result.

Hordes of Bullies Cause Harassment Spirals

It comes as no surprise that when something becomes popular; more people tend to follow that trend on a daily basis. It makes no difference whether the trend is positive or negative. Most people who want a sense of community will follow the ‘new cool thing.’

How does this relate to Twitter bullying?

Bullying is defined as “attempting to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone perceived as vulnerable.” You’ll notice a pattern when you look at how people challenge each other’s beliefs on the app.

They coerce, intimidate, and threaten the person in their spotlight until he or she apologizes. However, when they form groups, their impact is greater. To the point where these bullies may develop plans to interfere with that person’s or their loved ones’ lives; in a potentially dangerous way. Now that we’ve covered the top four reasons why Twitter is so toxic; let’s look at how you can avoid negativity.

How to Avoid Negativity on Twitter

If you receive negative attention on the app, you must immediately stop communicating with them. The best way to accomplish this is to block their account. The benefit of blocking people; is that they can no longer see your Tweets, images, or other media on your account; or contact you via the app. That is the best way to avoid harassment of any kind.

Don’t dismiss online threats. Take them seriously by doing the following:

• Take screenshots of violent tweets and document the violent abuse.
• When documenting this information, be very specific about the details.
• If you have any suspicions about who is involved, such as; if they contacted you via another social media app, make a list of these people and their behaviour.

Threats

Contact your local law enforcement immediately; if someone is threatening you, and you believe those threats could endanger you or others you know.

Conclusion

Twitter is a fantastic app for meeting people who share similar interests and sharing content, pictures, videos, and opinions. However, you must exercise extreme caution when discussing topics with people online. We’ve already discussed the main reasons for its toxicity: hate speech, fake news, harassment, and short tweet limits. Remember, whether it’s a positive or negative interaction, things become popular when groups of people participate in those topics; because it fosters a sense of community among people.

The best way to avoid all of the abuse is to block any accounts that contact you; in a harassing manner. Threats must be taken seriously, and we recommend that you document specific details by screenshotting Tweets and showing them to authorities. Any additional proof can help you put your mind at ease while dealing with harassment issues.