By Jillynn Reese
Social media has been a blessing and curse for the public today. It has provided a platform for us to immediately respond to things happening around us. However, there are two types of people that populate Twitter and Facebook timelines.
1. The “Good”: simply put, they use their accounts for good. These accounts promote inspiritation, gratitude, humility etc. They are used for positive engagement.
2. The “Bad”: again, as simply put, that use their accounts for bad. The individuals with the most criticism about everything. These are the people calling others dumb for their views on the world. These individuals comment negatively and argue with those who disagree with their views.
How does these type of people effective social media and civil discourse? Civil discourse is conversation that enhances understanding. While doing research for work, I’ve come across many opinions on the matter. Many believe that the practice has declined, thanks to social media.
But I don’t think social media is the one to blame. Recent studies have show that subjects such as social studies are being cut in the public school curriculum. Therefore, students aren’t able to learn the true basics of civility. With that being said, discourse has declined because it’s no longer being taught.

Now, I would like to point out that the students aren’t the cause in lack of civil discourse; however, they will be the generation to continue the decrease if we don’t get it together and act as better examples. We let the fact that we can post what we want on timelines and news feeds, go way left. We are subjected to cyberbulling, because the situation is funny. We argue about the validity of hashtags and yet people are still being mudered, taken, incarcerated etc #(insert name here). We never truly discuss for understanding of one another’s views. We discuss to prove how right we are and the wrongness of another.
We should be able to seek prime examples of civility within our government. But our government has become a Comedy Central skit, right before our eyes. A large percentage of our country supports a man that has the desire to dictate and rule America, rather than guide and be an assistance to his people. A man with no political background is running for president.
A man who just announced he would utilize his second amendment to “take care of the Hillary problem,” WHEN she’s elected. That is NOT civil. We have the worst example of civililty plastered across our screens, news feeds and emails daily. Debates have roasting matches, which certainly does not enhance understanding. I believe the lack of civil discourse has had a major effect on us as a people and how we communicate on social media in times of discussion.
We have to remember we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We have to understand this nation thrives on the diversity of people, opinions and views. We have to encourage healthy discussions and learn to agree to disagree. Next time you have a discussion of how black lives matter or why Trump shouldn’t be in the running for president, have an open mind and listen to understand. I’m sure both parties will leave the discussion having learned something.