Social media a playground for critics
By Lethbridge Herald on March 14, 2025.
You know what’s cheap to give in abundance? Criticism. Hence, the idiom “Everyone is a critic”—magnified by everyone having a smartphone—and why no statues have been erected in honour of critics. Social media platforms, intended to encourage sharing and interaction, have turned us into keyboard warriors, relentlessly expressing unsolicited opinions and tearing others down.
Whether it’s your grandma or the barista in Saskatoon you’ve never met, anyone can now share their ‘hot takes’ on your posts, which, by facilitating constant comparisons, has led to quick judgments being made based on limited information in a digital environment where negative comments are amplified.
The Internet has birthed an age of hostile criticism, where self-proclaimed experts thrive. Whether it’s a hopeful musician sharing their latest effort, a small business owner showcasing their product or a budding chef sharing their cooking skills, often the reaction is a barrage of judgment and negativity. It’s astonishing how easily we slip into the role of self-appointed judges, believing our opinions hold more weight than the effort someone put into their craft.
The double standard is glaring. We wouldn’t dare enter the digital arena ourselves, yet we have no problem scrutinizing others’ performances or achievements. We hurl insults that offer little constructive feedback, if any, masking our jealousy and insecurities. Keyboard warriors find solace in tearing down those who have the courage to share their work—courage they wish they had. Disparaging strangers under the guise of criticism has become a common practice for people to feel good about themselves, putting their self-serving “need to feel good about themselves” ahead of others. Hence, people are now more critical, expressing their disapproval without considering others’ feelings.
In addition to facilitating the offering of unsolicited criticism, the Internet provides dedicated platforms—Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Yelp, Tripadvisor, Glassdoor, and Amazon, to name a few—on which you can voice your opinion. Companies are now beholden to customer reviews, which is why “Please review” has become a standard ask after completing an online purchase. Whereas reviews were once the sole domain of newspapers and glossy magazines, in subsections devoted to restaurants, consumer products and film reviews—social media has destroyed the traditional movie review—today, I can pull out my smartphone and access ratings on virtually every product and piece of media known to man as well I can write my own “on-the-spot” review.
At one time, I thought it strange that people would trust the reviews by strangers, many of whom undoubtedly have an agenda for leaving a positive or negative review, such as their uncle owning the restaurant or being a disgruntled ex-employee. Eventually, I realized we’re herd animals; we learn by example and survive by following. Why would you buy the same vitamins that made Nick K. from Montreal, QC, sick? Why would you buy the same Amazon leggings that immediately ripped when first worn by Arlene N. from Scarborough, ON? Our tendency to trust others, even strangers, is likely evolutionarily pre-determined—ultimately inescapable—plus, we don’t naturally trust brands since we know a brand’s core agenda is to sell to us.
The psychology behind why we listen to strangers taps into our innate need for social proof, which speaks to social media’s stickiness. It’s common for us to act the same way we observe others acting, a social survival strategy of going along to get along. Our need for acceptance makes downright cruel criticism—”You should consider losing a few pounds,” “Your paintings are child-like.”—hurt as much as it does, causing self-doubt, mental stress and depression. My social media feeds, as are yours, are full of criticisms that echo Anthony D. Williams’s words from Inside the Divine Pattern, “When humans act with cruelty, we characterize them as “animals,” yet the only animal that displays cruelty is humanity.”
Historically, critics have been seen as pretentious judges of culture who don’t reflect popular opinion. In my mind, a “professional critic” is a hardened individual relishing the opportunity to tear down others while wearing a trendy scarf and slender spectacles. Most of these “cultural gatekeepers” have forgotten why they fell in love with what they’re critiquing, contributing to people’s skepticism of critics.
More than ever, we live in a world that is divided between spectators and players. Most of us are ‘in the audience’ sitting in a social media seat, booing and hissing, passing judgment on strangers without ever stepping onto the digital stage. Players roll up their sleeves and give it their all. Despite not always succeeding, they experience the thrill of participation. Players act; they put themselves out there. Spectators watch passively, often envying those with the courage to expose their work, opinions, and feelings, knowing the judgement that will follow.
Sadly, the Internet has given the loudest voices to those not on the playing field. Today, it’s astonishingly easy for someone to sit back, point fingers, speak venomously about topics they know little about, highlight flaws while feeling good about them, and conveniently be oblivious to the impact of your words on whom they’re “criticizing” and thereby contributing to the toxic soup of keyboard warriors have turned social media into.
Nick Kossovan is the Customer Service Professionals Network’s Social Media Director (Executive Board Member). Feel free to send your social media questions to nick.kossovan@gmail.com. On Twitter and Instagram, follow @NKossovan.
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lots to acknowledge and agree with, thanks. it is one thing to share an honest opinion, especially one that has substance, and quite another to simply share hate, negativity, and an underhanded agenda.