You see a tweet on your Twitter feed. Maybe it was retweeted by a friend. Maybe it is a post from someone you follow. All you know it that it is about Iggy Azalea and you hate her.

You wish you could “un-favorite” the tweet but you can’t so instead you reply ‘ugh she has no talent’ or ‘why would you even post this?’ After staring at the tweet a little longer you get so offended you decide to block the user. But why were you so offended?

Why do people get provoked over topics on social media?

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Facebook and many more       provide people with an unlimited opportunity to share their feelings and opinions. These platforms are home to a worldwide community of millions of users with millions of thoughts to share. This is is bound to create conflict.

Many people, especially teens, feel safe behind the digital veil. Actions tend to be bolder and people forget about consequences.The convenience at the tip of your fingers leads to thoughtless responses.

I have watched friends, followers and even myself get attacked for voicing an opinion. People who we have never met or had a conversation with decide to chime in and in many cases escalate a problem.

Is it a sense of entitlement that causes this type of reaction? Why do we not ignore opinions that oppose our own?

“If it personally has to do with their own beliefs, then they’re going to want to defend themselves and what they believe in,” said junior Annika Norris.

Understandably people want to defend their beliefs if others question them. But when and to what extent is it okay for us to react? Bashing others’ opinions in turn may not be the best way.

The notion that we must defend our opinions also brings another question: why does an outsider to a conversation feel compelled to inject a fiercely negative and rude opinion?

“Insecurity. If people are insecure about their own viewpoints,they feel the need to defend themselves even if it doesn’t have to do with them just to make themselves feel reassured,” said sophomore Bethany Ford.

Whether insecurity is the cause or not, teens on the Internet certainly feel ‘personally victimized’ by comments and posts.

Before you comment on a situation that is not directly impacting you, ask yourself: will my rude comment back to another person make them change their opinion? Would I say this to them in a face to face conversation?

The immediate gratification of posting a mean, rude or argumentative comment may not be effective in trying to defend and prove your opinion.