Hate has become a ubiquitous form of humour, protection and general conversation amongst our generation, owing to the rise of social media. You can hardly scroll twice on TikTok before your algorithm connects you to a trending headline flooded with nasty comments or a meme that lands its punchline at somebody else’s expense. At first glance, it might seem harmless—just an instance of online “banter”—but the problem is that we have become desensitised to the concept of hating something or someone. Ironically, we all seem to have jumped onto this bandwagon and embraced it as a sense of community. Have we all accidentally fallen into a bad habit we need to shake off or are we rather fueling a vicious cycle of cynicism that will only continue to worsen?
Living in a digital age where social media is more accessible than ever, it is obvious that the platforms once designed to foster connection and self-expression have been distorted. There is no doubt that these original intentions still exist, however the acts of “roasting”, “mocking”, and “poking fun” have increasingly entered centre stage; blurring the lines between genuine interactions and a harrowing culture of negativity that thrives on quick-witted insults.
Examples of this hate are relentless—from an insensitive comment left about a stranger’s outfit to high-profile online feuds broadcast for millions of people to dissect from behind their keyboards. These comment sections, left open and unfiltered, allow for thousands of voices to form opinions based on clouded evidence. We have found comfort in this consensus, despite it being rooted in cruelty.
While it can feel humorous or harmless, we forget about the long-term impact that this digital culture can have, both on those being ridiculed and on ourselves. Holding onto hate is a notoriously unhealthy way of living and contributing to this negativity (whether it’s through a meaningless sarcastic comment or a mocking retweet) advocates for an environment that normalises criticism over kindness. As a chronically online generation, we must remember that we should not strive to lose sincerity within ourselves or connections with others. Leaning on hate as a form of connecting with others is simply a gateway to deeper cynicism and emotional detachment within ourselves. So perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves: are we truly building each other up, or rather becoming scarily good at tearing each other down?