I have written before about how the smartphone is simultaneously a force for good and bad. Behaviour which would not be tolerated in physical society is par for the course on social media platforms with users routinely abusing others just because they can.
There has been much commentary about the rise in crime here in Thurrock, but it is worth noting that much of this is due to activity online. There is a need for everyone to become much more civilised and for all of us to call out bad behaviour. If it is not acceptable on the street, it is not acceptable online.
Recently the father of Molly Russell said that social media had contributed to the death of his daughter after she took her own life. I have viewed the material he was talking about - images of self harm and suicide which had the effect of normalising that behaviour. When the behaviour becomes normalised to such an extent it is akin to grooming.
We are therefore looking at the law to see what we need to do to change the behaviour of providers and social media companies. But we users can do more too. None of us should be offensive, threatening or unnecessary personal just because it is possible to be. It is very easy to wound from behind a keyboard. But social media users are also human beings and we should never forget the importance of mutual respect and good manners.