The corrosive aspects of social media have become particularly stark in 2020 – but does cutting out those you disagree with just exacerbate the problem?
When Melbourne re-entered stage 3 lockdown, I posted a “Bunnings Karens” status and the consequent 81 comment argument saw me Marie Kondo my friends list to only those who spark joy. I went from 2,600+ to 997.
The unique bubble of Covid-19 isolation and anxiety led to me pulling the trigger on culling my personal and professional network down to a closer circle. It was simple enough to click “unfriend” whenever my mouse hovered above an unfamiliar face, but not so simple when my cursor was above an image of a friend or family member.
I wasn’t alone. An American survey conducted in April of 2,031 people by Digital Third Coast reported 24% of respondents had argued with someone on social media over Covid-19; 20% of survey respondents reported having unfriended a friend over their disagreements, and 15% unfriended a family member.