Have you or someone you know lost a loved one to a Facebook fight? It's time to end this terrible affliction. In all seriousness, Facebook fights have got to stop. Do what you need to do-- just take it outside the computer.
Facebook fights are on a different level than other verbal disputes. People who fight on Facebook would never have the guts to say what they type. While it is very funny to watch, it is mostly pathetic. I have definitely gotten in a Facebook fight before, but I try not to because in the seconds after you realize what you have done, you will regret it.
There is always at least one fight going on in your newsfeed, but when election time rolls around- BOOM- an explosion of Facebook fights. It never ends well. People do not feel like they have to apologize because they don't even realize what they are doing. When the visual and audio cues are taken out of a conversation and there are just words, nothing seems real.
Facebook enables you to react first, think later. Your first instinct will be what you post because social media has made it so easy to put thoughts out into the world so fast. This gives a whole new meaning to #nofilter. The more you use Facebook, the more it seems like a real place- apart from the world- a place where there are no consequences, so you can say whatever you want. But the horrible things you type in your instant reaction are not just going to some icon on a screen, they are going to a human being who will react. Everything can escalate very quickly, and before you know it, you have both said something very dumb and insensitive.
Next time you see something and want to react to it, think before you post. Do not react, rethink, then act. It doesn't cost you anything to think of a way to state your opinions in a non-aggressive, appropriate, respectful way.
Facebook can be a wonderful thing. There are a lot of people you know that you might not see often who you can keep in touch with. Plus, you can play Candy Crush. Use it for all the good things it can provide.
