Social media undermining society?

Beckerman Social Media Exec Asks — Where Is The Love?

By Eric Fischgrund, Social Media Manager, Beckerman
 
As details continue to emerge surrounding the Tucson, Ariz., shooting and the alleged gunman, Jared Loughner, we are learning more about his role in several online message boards. Spewing hate on some boards, and hated by the community on others, it's clear Loughner had significant mental issues that none of his online contacts (or enemies) were aware of. Was Loughner the same guy in real life that he personified online? This tragedy — coupled with observations that come from the numerous websites, blogs and message boards that I visit each day has got me asking — where is the love?

Is their social media presence a reflection of people's mentality or of how they behave in face-to-face encounters? Are people the same when they come through their front doors, take off their jackets and sit down at their keyboards as they are in the rest of their lives? I sure hope not. It seems that Internet bullying, scathing and racist posts, death threats and other hateful forms of content are escalating.