Social media and online forums have become an integral part of our lives. As a result, users need to learn proper etiquette for participating in internet discussions. In essence, commenting and debating online is not much different from face-to-face conversations: participants must respect each other, remain polite, present arguments, and avoid personal attacks during disagreements. Psychologists recommend following certain norms and rules to maintain a positive atmosphere for both yourself and others.
Types of comments on the internet
When analyzing comments on forums and under social media posts, several categories can be identified:
- Review comments, where users share their opinions on an article or other content
- Evaluative comments, which express agreement or disagreement with the author’s point of view and assess the professionalism or reasoning of the person who posted the content
- Empty, meaningless comments, which may consist of just emojis or a few generic words such as “Good article!” or “Agreed”
- Detailed comments with well-reasoned opinions
- Comments that encourage discussion
- Toxic comments involving personal attacks
Comments can be detailed or brief, well-written or full of spelling and grammatical errors, depending on the commenter’s level of education. Most frequently, bloggers and content creators are the ones who have to read and respond to comments, providing feedback and handling both constructive and unconstructive criticism.
How to behave in comments
If you come across a post that interests you and want to join the conversation, follow these guidelines:
- Stay on topic and express your opinion with supporting arguments
- If you disagree with the author, express your viewpoint respectfully without resorting to personal attacks
- Use proper language, avoiding slang and offensive expressions. Online comments are still a form of discussion where politeness matters, and it is important not to insult others
- If someone tries to provoke you in the comments, do not take the bait. Respond only to relevant points and ignore off-topic remarks
Why some people enjoy stirring conflicts in comments
Some internet users intentionally create conflicts in comment sections by provoking others with insults and sarcastic remarks. Psychologists believe that so-called internet trolls are often insecure individuals with unresolved personal issues. Usually, they achieve little in real life and resort to criticism and verbal attacks against those who stand out with their talent or original thinking.
To avoid wasting your energy, do not engage in debates with trolls. They do not listen to arguments and only seek to provoke an emotional reaction to make their opponent look foolish. The best way to avoid conflicts in comment sections is to ignore aggressive statements from trolls. A more effective way to maintain a healthy online environment is to block such users—this responsibility typically falls on administrators or moderators.
If a troll continues messaging you privately, it is best to block them. If a user violates community guidelines and behaves inappropriately, you can report them to the site’s administration, which is responsible for taking action in such cases.
Can you learn to engage in discussions properly in comments?
To develop the ability to express opinions effectively in comments, regular practice is essential. Participate in forums related to your interests, engage in social media groups, and follow news content to stay informed. Another way to refine your discussion skills is to engage in private conversations where you and your conversation partner discuss interesting topics.
A great way to practice is to find a discussion partner who holds a different viewpoint on an issue. This allows you to work on argumentation skills while maintaining a respectful tone and avoiding personal attacks.
On the website wedaf.com, you can find conversation partners and engage in chats discussing various topics. This practice can help you learn how to argue convincingly and respectfully in online discussions while handling negative or unconstructive language appropriately when it appears in debates.
Leave a Reply