It’s 2016 and everyone has an opinion. Discouraged groups are speaking out about their troubles. People are taking a stand – and that’s amazing. Social media has become a platform to voice your opinions on politics, race, gender, and virtually any other topic of interest. However, today’s typical, college, social media activist can sometimes become misguided.

Naturally, as a 20-year-old young woman, I found myself in the depths of Instagram late at night. I stumbled upon a page of a teenage girl who goes hunting. Personally, I didn’t take any offense until I looked at the comments. I was disgusted by what popped up: harsh words, ad hominem arguments, and death threats.

Now, this isn’t about animal rights, food corporations, or diets. Like I said, it's 2016, and everyone has an opinion. An important part of having an opinion is respecting others’ right to have a different opinion, something that all too often goes forgotten. You may be very passionate about your cause, and there is nothing wrong with that. But instead of trying to silence a different opinion, argue it. Argue it with logic, with facts, and supporting evidence. Don’t, for any reason, argue someone’s opinion with insults, personal attacks, or bullying.

Your opinion is just that – an opinion. Opinions can almost always be argued in the opposite direction. Moving forward in your young adult activist life, take a step back and listen to what the other person has to say. Think of where they are coming from and why they have a different point of view than your own. Also, before you call their idea stupid or discourage them from speaking up, remember that ultimately we are all human. And words can hurt anyone as much as they may hurt you, regardless if they come from a keyboard, a touch screen, or straight from your mouth.

In terms of opinions… Don’t discourage people from taking the path less traveled – even if it’s a different path than your own.