In this blog post, we examine why aggressiveness on the internet is intensifying and how anonymity and social changes are influencing this trend.
What defines “strength”? In the distant past, during the early stages of human evolution, physical strength or extensive experience likely served as the yardstick for strength. As villages formed and wars began, power became the new standard of strength; and after cities developed into nations and the concept of currency emerged, financial wealth became yet another measure. Furthermore, the dazzling scientific advancements achieved in a very short span of human history gave rise to a new standard: information and knowledge. It is self-evident that information holds immense value for people living in the modern world.
So, why has the value of information become so crucial? Information is no longer merely an accumulation of knowledge; it has established itself as the most critical factor in decision-making. In every field—economics, politics, culture—information is directly linked to power, and misinformation can lead to catastrophic consequences. For example, making investment decisions based on incorrect information in the stock market can result in massive losses. In this way, information has become a powerful weapon directly tied to people’s lives.
People obtain information in their own unique ways. While there are various means—such as books, rumors, and acquaintances—the medium modern people rely on most is undoubtedly the internet. With countless new posts and photos uploaded ceaselessly every day, the internet is like a vast ocean brimming with information. The fact that one can easily obtain desired information with just a few clicks has made it highly appealing to people. As a result, countless people are swimming in this sea of information every day.
However, it has become increasingly clear that the internet is growing more aggressive. This shift is evident in the emergence of the neologism “malicious comments,” which refers to the act of posting replies containing malicious insults and slander on others’ posts. Malicious comments can be so severe that they sometimes lead to murder or suicide; there have been cases where celebrities and ordinary people have developed depression or, unable to bear the pressure, have taken their own lives. The comment sections of articles about celebrities are filled with both positive and malicious comments, and it is common to see people divided into opposing camps and fighting. The reality that violent and obscene expressions are exchanged casually in the comment sections of webtoons and online games is a stark contrast to just a few years ago.
What is the cause of the internet becoming so violent? While there are various reasons, societal changes likely play a major role. As recently as the 1990s, interaction with neighbors was lively, and people maintained such close relationships that they knew not only each other’s names but even the dates of their relatives’ weddings. However, in modern society, these relationships have become sparse. Even when people move, they rarely give rice cakes to their neighbors; in fact, it’s common not to even know the names of one’s neighbors in an apartment complex. This shows that society is becoming increasingly individualistic and indifferent to others.
Furthermore, society is becoming increasingly sensationalistic. In the past, conservative attire was taken for granted, but today, turning on the TV reveals an abundance of celebrities dressed in revealing outfits. Hurl ing harsh, hurtful remarks at others and accepting this as normal has become a standard part of modern comedy. Newspaper headlines have also become far more sensational and provocative compared to the past. These social changes have likely had a significant influence on the aggression seen online.
Changes in the internet itself are also an unavoidable cause. In the early 1990s, the concept of an internet café did not even exist.
However, today even students living on their own have computers in their rooms, and internet access has become very easy. As internet use has become widespread, a diverse range of people can go online, and consequently, the likelihood of clashes of opinion and conflict has increased. In particular, as people dissatisfied with society or teenagers whose values have not yet been established go online to express their grievances, the online space has become even more aggressive.
Anonymity also fuels the violence of the internet. In the past, conversations between people took place through face-to-face interaction, but on the internet, people can hide behind nicknames. This allows them to break free from moral constraints, remain unrecognizable, and utter words they would never imagine saying in real life. The mask of the internet has become a factor that drives people to act in increasingly cruel and aggressive ways.
These various factors have interacted to create today’s aggressive online culture. Although the government has recently made various efforts to address these issues, online aggression continues to intensify. This aggression is particularly extreme on community sites established for political purposes. Moreover, provocative and aggressive posts are flooding numerous other community sites as well.
Out of the tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of people online, how many of them will I actually meet? If we happen to encounter someone on the internet, that encounter might be more than just a coincidence—it could be a meaningful connection. If that is the case, must we use aggressive language toward them? If we paid just a little more attention to the people on the other side of the screen, couldn’t the internet become a warmer and more comfortable space?
