Toxic comments on the internet

I've always been curious about one thing: my friends tend not to comment on issues online, such as leaving remarks under a post or expressing opinions on Twitter. However, when they ask questions in private groups, they usually receive valuable advice. What I've come to realize is that people actually love to give suggestions and feedback; so why do most of us refrain from commenting online?

I think there are two main reasons.

1. Fear of Attack from Others

In a community of tens of thousands, it’s easy for a "you can’t catch me no matter what I say" mentality to arise, leading to commenters being attacked by malicious remarks. Responding thoughtfully to such negative comments is incredibly draining, and if a well-intentioned contribution ends up being met with hostility, it’s no surprise that people would be reluctant to comment. Consequently, the comments tend to be dominated by trolls and assholes. I believe this phenomenon can easily occur when platforms fail to provide appropriate feedback mechanisms and management. It creates a dilemma: how can we maintain freedom while also having appropriate guidelines? The best way to overcome this mindset is to recognize that those commenting do not represent the majority; many opinions remain unexpressed and unheard.

2. Fear of the Spectator Crowd

Perhaps your viewpoint isn’t wrong; it’s just that when the opposing side questions you in an intense, emotional, or skeptical manner, it can easily create the illusion of "I’m the one with more experience and authority." The crowd can naturally gravitate toward that side, and that invisible pressure can be quite overwhelming. You need to understand that in such situations, even if you’re right, no one will step in to support you. The more you try to reason with the other party, the happier they become; it only takes emotional language to sway the crowd.

My guideline for online communication is simple: I won’t say anything online that I wouldn’t say in real life. I refuse to use terms like "idiot," "moron," or resort to insults and sexual humiliation. However, this kind of dull restraint seems to be ineffective in today’s online environment.

My Solution

I occasionally share in communities and often encounter ill-intentioned comments. For me, the best approach is to simply ignore these remarks and interact only with those who want to engage in meaningful discussions. If things get too outrageous, I just block them.

Additionally, writing articles is a great way to attract readers through SEO, while trolls are left to wallow in their misery. From the perspective of comments, I can understand why people always join closed LINE and Discord groups—it's that sense of belonging and the feeling of being able to speak freely.

When you’re simply seeking assistance, you won’t care about whether the issue can be found by search engines or whether the discussion is public. As long as someone is willing to respond thoughtfully and provide support, the positive energy generated can be immense.

I personally enjoy the atmosphere on platforms like Zhihu, where questions are well-posed and respondents take their time to provide thoughtful answers. Various reward mechanisms give those willing to respond better exposure and traffic, thereby fostering a relatively positive culture. If trolls become a minority, their negativity will matter much less to you.