Social Networks and the Decline of Politeness: An Analysis

Social networks have transformed the way humans communicate, connect, and interact. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have made communication faster, broader, and more immediate than ever before. While these networks provide significant opportunities for information sharing, learning, and social cohesion, they also have profound implications for social norms and behaviors. Among the most notable changes is the perception that politeness has diminished in online interactions. This observation is not anecdotal; studies in social psychology, communication, and digital behavior consistently indicate that the online environment fosters incivility, rudeness, and confrontational discourse.…