Web Rage

I can definitely see how web rage is an issue in our modern society. This article had some very interesting viewpoints on why this is a problem and what's being done to solve the issue. I don't think that this issue is jerks being attracted to the internet, however I can see how the internet could definitely bring out the worst in people. Today, dealing with emotions in a healthy way or environment is not a priority for most. A lot of people would just rather trudge through the day and find a way to release emotions or complain later. The internet is a perfect outlet for those who would rather not confront problem situations, especially when confronting these situations involves having to deal with others. Conflict resolution is a huge problem in our society and having the internet as an outlet to vent is not helping the issue. As the article suggests, people definitely don't consider their audience when typing their emotions especially their rage. The most harmful of this outlet being instant messaging and chat rooms because they are direct communication. This article discusses anonymity being an issue because when people are nameless they feel more able to release more angry and hurtful feelings. I don't think that this is necessarily the biggest issue. Instant messaging, blogs, and websites such as myspace and facebook are ways that many people release their feelings such as anger and these are usually not anonymous. I feel like people, especially our generation and younger has become so used to communicating emotions over the internet through these things I mentioned, that when it comes to approaching conflict situations in person, there are major issues. Teens are now learning to build and maintain relationships and close friendships through the internet which (when they know each other in person) could potentially be a positive thing. However, when they have these internet relationships, even without anonymity people feel as if they can be more harsh with their emotions online. This causes more dramatic feelings on both ends of the relationship which I think that we can all agree to be unnecessary in teens because it leads to the increase in teen depression and suicide. There are other populations in the world that are definitely affected by this web rage, however I do think the teen population is at the highest risk.