Are We Losing Our Manners in the Digital Age?

The Erosion of Civility

It’s a common lament: courtesy seems to be on the decline. While unpleasant individuals have always existed, a growing sense of incivility, rudeness, and hostility pervades modern society. While numerous factors contribute, the internet, and particularly social media, arguably plays a significant role in this deterioration of social graces. The widespread use of vitriol, personal attacks, and inflammatory rhetoric, particularly within the echo chambers of various online platforms, raises serious questions about our collective civility.

The paradox lies in the perceived morality of the perpetrators. Most, if not all, individuals engaging in such behaviour likely consider themselves “good people.” This mirrors a well-known anecdote: a warden at Sing Sing prison once observed that none of the inmates admitted their guilt. Similarly, many exhibiting discourteous behaviour engage in a form of moral gymnastics – justifying, excusing, or simply ignoring their actions while maintaining a self-image of righteousness. This cognitive dissonance, this disconnect between behaviour and self-perception, is a key challenge in addressing the problem.

The internet, with its anonymity and lack of immediate consequences, exacerbates this issue. The ease with which one can hurl insults from behind a screen, shielded from direct social repercussions, lowers inhibitions and encourages aggressive behaviour. Echo chambers, where like-minded individuals reinforce each other’s biases and prejudices, further escalate the problem. Constructive criticism is drowned out by a cacophony of negativity, fostering an environment where civility is not just absent but actively discouraged.

So, how can we reverse this trend? There’s no single solution, but a multi-pronged approach is necessary:

• Promoting Digital Literacy: Educating individuals, particularly young people, about the impact of online interactions is crucial. This includes teaching empathy, critical thinking, and responsible online behaviour. Understanding the potential consequences of online actions and the importance of respectful communication is vital.
• Encouraging Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Cultivating empathy and the ability to see situations from another’s perspective is essential. This can be achieved through educational programmes, community initiatives, and even the careful curation of online content.
• Holding Individuals Accountable: While complete anonymity online is arguably impossible to eradicate, platforms need to take a more proactive role in moderating content and holding users accountable for their actions. This requires clear community guidelines and effective enforcement mechanisms, without stifling free speech.
• Re-emphasising Civility in Education and Society: Civics lessons should explicitly address respectful dialogue and conflict resolution. Furthermore, societal norms need to actively promote politeness and courtesy, emphasising the importance of respectful communication in all aspects of life.

The erosion of civility is not simply a matter of manners; it’s a threat to social cohesion and productive discourse. Addressing this challenge requires a collective effort, involving individuals, educational institutions, online platforms, and society as a whole. Only through conscious effort and a commitment to fostering empathy and respectful communication can we hope to reclaim the civility we seem to be losing.