Are people online meaner than they are in real life?

[Anonymous]

Would you say the same things you say online to someone's face?

[mstbooblover]

Interesting and relevant question. I don't mean to be different in real life, but the thing is that online people are active on particular sites where being more explicit is allowed, and sometimes even required.

Let's say that in real life one has to take into account bystanders not supposed to participate, and of course good manners. Having a real person in front is not at all the same as only facing a computer display...

Mind that I always try to keep good manners, to be polite, even in very explicit circumstances, as well online as in real life.

[Joshydavid25]

Yeah, people are generally less filtered behind a protection of anonymity... I probably sound a but more stern than I would IRL.. I'm actually much more chill..

[Bitter_Sweet94]

In most cases, yes.

People are bolder online because there’s no real world consequence.

No eye contact, no tone of voice, no empathy triggered.

It’s easier to project frustration, insecurity, or boredom onto strangers when you’re hiding behind a screen.

But the truth is, online behavior rarely reflects who they are in real life.

It reflects what they’re escaping from.

Kind people stay kind everywhere.

Unhappy people get louder when nobody can see them.

[Flower7]

I’m not understanding your use of the word unhappy. Can’t kind people also be unhappy?

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Of course they can.

Being kind doesn’t mean your life is perfect or that you never struggle.

What I meant is this,

unhappy people who don’t manage their emotions well often spill it onto others, and online is the easiest place to do that.

Kind people can be unhappy too, but they don’t use it as a reason to attack strangers.

That’s the difference I was pointing to.

[Flower7]

They are meaner online because many people seem to be afraid to say what they think or feel when they are in real life.

[PeachyPie93]

Most people are.. I tend to be the same unless i am talking to friends.. I'm much nicer cuz I like them lol

[Sevenpointfive]

i would. i really struggle controlling my filter, but i'm not mean unless that's who they want me to be. i'm usually quiet and don't talk much

[gottogames313gotag]

because online one can hide behind a screen while being mean in real life they would be too scared to say anything haha

[douride2]

speaking only for myself here. What you see here is who I am in real life.

[Flower7]

Same.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Yes, because they don't have to face their targets.("Keyboard courage," as this misbehaviour is termed, though "keyboard COWARDICE" would be closer to the mark.)

[Shiprex]

Yes, they have a sense of anonymity online and would be scared irl

[Nikki1989]

Some of them are.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, some of them are.

[AngryCarl2]

Not meaner, but more honest.

[jahaims]

Duh.

[Cidknee]

Probably

[Sabretooth]

Sure.