It is no secret that being active on social media has become the norm. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have provided an outlet for individuals of all demographics to broadcast their personal opinions and life stories in real time. The bright side of living during a generation so fully immersed in communication technology is that it makes expression, new ideas, and interaction instantaneous and easily available. However, with this opportunity for expression comes opportunity for negativity, and it is apparent that negativity is becoming more and more prevalent on the web.

It's draining to constantly see bickering and virtual wars (most recently concerning the POTUS and his controversial standpoints). It's saddening, and quite frankly annoying, to get on platforms that were initially created to connect people, yet constantly see some sort of conflict that is actively tearing them apart. It is too easy to see a post on your timeline that you disagree with and become outraged; eager to verbally tear into someone or spout off to your friends about what you just read. I have been guilty of this myself, but I find it important to recognize the instability in being easily triggered.

This being said, it is perplexing to observe how an immersive technology such as social media has transformed the way we view our peers; the easier it is to display who you are, the easier it is to gain friends and foes. Assumptions will be made about your identity based on a simple Facebook status or 140-character tweet. Conflicting emotions arise when you consider how toxic the internet can be, yet most can't stand the thought of disconnection. The internet is perceived to be a safe-place for many who feel like they can vent their emotions and receive immediate feedback, though this can easily lead to negative repercussions. How do you come to terms with a world that is quick to judge and has highly conflicting views without increasing hatred or burning bridges, you may ask? I would like to think there are a few ways in which we can restore harmony on the Internet, thus translating into betterment in the real world:

1. Patience

It is inevitable that you are going to come across something online that makes you uncomfortable. Before your blood starts boiling, before you start assuming, or furiously typing a comment in backlash, think: What is this person trying to say? Why might they feel this way? Is it really worth it to put my energy into this when it may or may not pan out well? Is this making me more frustrated than it really should?

If you take the time to consider a situation fully before you take action (or no action at all), you may come up with a better response. The same goes for maintaining patience in face-to-face interaction; it is essentially better to think before you react.

2. Tolerance

Unless you have a list of friends or following that are exactly like you and everything you are interested in--wouldn’t that be nice!--then you are most likely going to see something online that you simply do not agree with. Come to terms with the idea that someone may believe in something that you do not, or vice versa. You cannot assume that your view on a particular subject is as easy for others to relate to.

Maintaining tolerance and an open mind will not only prevent senseless aggression and drama, but will also help you become more content with the things that you cannot change. And let’s face it, beliefs will never cease to be diverse. Tolerance is a virtue in any situation, and can honestly change your outlook on life.

3. Respect

In addition to tolerance, not only should you respect an individual’s conviction that may be different from your own, but you should also be mindful not to be insulting or degrading. Too often do I see name-calling on social media; some recently popular phrases being uneducated, ignorant, whiner, and snowflake. This not only demonstrates a lack of maturity, but is counterproductive in trying to get another person to see your side.

In other words, without respect, you weaken your credibility to be an influence on others. As someone has the right to make a statement, you also have the right to agree or disagree. But it is important to keep in mind that you can communicate your outlook on a situation without using derogatory terminology, a tactic that ultimately distracts from your purpose.

4. Get Offline

Let’s get real, you can always just close your laptop or put down the phone. Social media is an addictive yet highly vulnerable place to be, and it isn’t worth it to torture yourself by focusing on adverse points of view. If you find that your willingness to tolerate clashing perspectives is increasingly low, then perhaps you would benefit from getting offline for a while. This does not necessarily prevent all real-world complication, but you can at least take some time to reflect on how you would like to move forward.

I would like to think that by changing the way we conduct ourselves on the Internet would translate into how we unify in person. The world as we know it is only becoming more and more technology-based, therefore the need for cooperation online coexists with the need to do so offline. It may seem unattainable to change the online atmosphere by encouraging patience, tolerance, and respect...

But hey, I can always hope.