5 Reasons to Avoid Arguing With Strangers Online

By Marina Krivonossova on January 25, 2021

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve definitely come across some viewpoints you don’t agree with. These can range from random opinions that slightly bug you, or more heavy assertions that trigger something within you that makes you want to respond and prove the original poster wrong. I used to be very tempted to argue with strangers online. Any time I saw a person post something I didn’t agree with, I felt the need to stand my ground and interject my opposing opinion on the given subject. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know this person — all that mattered is telling them that they’re wrong, and I’m right.

Fortunately, that was many years ago. I have long left that needlessly argumentative, easily irritable part of me behind. But I know many people are still quick to jump into meaningless arguments when they see some arbitrary opinion posted on the Internet. Does this sound like something you or someone you know has dealt with? Whether you answered yes or no, I’m here to offer you some insights on reasons to avoid arguing with strangers online from now on.

1. It gets you nowhere. When have arbitrary arguments with strangers ever made a positive difference in anybody’s life? Odds are, neither party actually cares about what the other has to say. Online arguments are generally fueled by emotions rather than logic, whether it be from one side or from both. Experts publish studies, articles, and journals to get their point across to the public. But you know what people who have no real knowledge or expertise do? They argue with strangers online.

(Image via pexels.com)

2. It negatively impacts your own mental health. I don’t think anybody can say that after a heated, pointless argument with a stranger online, they came out feeling refreshed and relaxed. It’s usually quite the opposite. You argue and argue relentlessly until you’re exhausted, anxious, and agitated. You’re not going to change a stranger’s mind by arguing with them online, but you are going to unnecessarily fill your own life with negativity by doing so.

3. It’s a waste of time. You could be working. You could be reading. You could be hanging out with friends. You could be watching a movie. So why waste your precious time on meaningless arguments with Internet strangers instead? Those arguments tend to have a back and forth element to them, meaning they go on forever. It’s never a “one and done” thing with online arguments. It’s always a heated back and forth full of ad hominem attacks, negative emotions, and a lack of concrete evidence in favor of either side. Save your breath, and use your time productively. We only get one life, so why waste it on meaningless engagements?

4. You’re probably feeding the trolls. So many people who post controversial opinions online are just looking for attention. And when you engage in arguments with them, you’re feeding these trolls exactly what they’re looking for. I know it’s weird to think that some people crave negative attention. But at the end of the day, negative attention is still attention — so when they’re lacking any sort of attention in the real world, the trolls take to the Internet to elicit a reaction (even if it’s a negative one) from anybody who will listen. Don’t satisfy these sad individuals by giving them the attention they desperately crave. Let the Internet trolls be ignored.

(Image via pexels.com)

5. You’re making yourself look bad. Have you ever read a heated online argument and thought to yourself, “Wow, that person sure sounds lovely!” Probably not. You never see experts or professionals engaging in these meaningless arguments. It’s always the people who have too much time on their hands, or the people who are unnecessarily hostile for whatever reason it may be. Before arguing in a public forum, ask yourself if you’d be happy with your partner, your parent, or your employer reading what you wrote. Go even further and ask if you’d be impressed by your partner, parent, or employer if you saw them partaking in this sort of argument online. More likely than not, the answer to these questions will be a resounding “no.” Save your energy, and avoid making yourself look bad online by steering clear of meaningless arguments with Internet strangers.

Now, I’m all for productive debates and conversations with other people. I know that I am not always right, and I know that I can learn a lot from civil back and forths with my friends, my colleagues, and other people I encounter. But online public forums, social media, and the Internet, in general, are not places to be looking for a civil and legitimate debate. Save your time and save your energy by just scrolling past the next provocative comment you read. You can block that person or you can report them if they’ve written something illicit, but the last thing you should do is try and engage with their content.

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