Why Social Media Turns Normal People Into Online Bullies
Why Social Media Turns Normal People Into Online Bullies If you observe a pasar malam long enough, you’ll notice a curious thing: most Malaysians are polite, cooperative, and surprisingly patient. Someone cuts the queue? A few raised eyebrows, maybe. But rarely a public meltdown. Yet the moment these same individuals enter the digital arena, something changes — dramatically. Suddenly, the mild-mannered uncle becomes a rage machine on Facebook. The shy student becomes a combative keyboard warrior. The friendly neighbour becomes a self-appointed prosecutor, judge, and executioner. Why? Because social media alters behaviour in ways even good people don’t fully recognize. The first catalyst is anonymity — or at least the illusion of it. Behind a screen, judgment feels distant, consequences feel reduced, and empathy thins out like weak black coffee. When we don’t see the reactions of the people we hurt, the human cost of our words becomes abstract. It’s easy to hit “Send” when we don...
