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The internet is a big place, and social media has given people an easy way to express their opinions to the world.
So how do we make sure that a difference of opinions doesn’t take a turn for the worse?
Method 1: Ignoring The User
A great way to avoid conflict is to not say anything at all. You are not obligated to type up a response and hit "post".
Here are some things you might want to ignore:
Provocative comments: comments that just want you to respond
Sarcastic comments: comments that could be seen as potentially "not serious"
Ignorant comments: comments that are clearly made without knowing about the topic
Quiz
Which of the following comments might be provocative on a post about getting a cat?
"Now your house has two lazy creatures," is a response targeted at the poster, trying to illicit an aggressive response back.
Method 2: Blocking The User
If someone is saying something that is hateful or disrespectful, it may be a good idea to block them.
Most social media platforms have a feature that allows you to stop seeing posts from a specific person, and this is great for situations where people cannot have a healthy discussion.
Quiz
Which of these comments might cause you to block the commenter?
Saying "That dress looks awful on you," is a hateful statement. Although the questions and the statement "That would look better in blue," aren't exactly positive, they aren't hateful comments directed at the user.
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Method 3: De-escalate
Some conflicts are the result of a misunderstanding or a difference of opinion.
In this case, you can ask for clarification or, without using harsh language, calmly explain why you said what you did.
Generally, one aggressive response invites another.
Quiz
Which of the following comments might de-escalate an argument about watermelon?
"What don't you like about it?" is a great de-escalator because it gives the replier a chance to explain their point of view, rather than throwing out general statements like "Watermelon sucks!" which are more emotionally based and don't really support the argument.
Take Action
Managing conflict online is not as hard as it seems once you take the right precautions.
Take the time to recognize conflict situations and determine the best method to solve them.
This Byte has been authored by
Zaafir Mohamed
Student