Commenting and direct messaging are fundamental aspects of social media that should not be removed
May 31, 2024
By Aiden Nguyen
Staff Writer
Social media contains limitless content, including dance routines, informational videos, inspirational quotes and tutorials. Users respond with comments of kindness and those that are bullying or trolling. As the hateful aspects of social media remain prevalent, some people are advocating for social media platforms to disable commenting and direct messaging features. However, this is not the correct approach.
Social media has its name for a reason. With the removal of comments and messaging, it loses its social aspect. Users would not be able to engage with friends or family, and influencers would not be able to receive feedback about their posts.
Another significant aspect of social media is interacting with new people and making friends. By disabling comments and direct messaging, people lose their ability to make connections with others.
Also, if social media platforms eliminated commenting and direct messaging, For You pages on social media would no longer be curated to a user’s specific interests. According to 4legalleads.com, a website that connects potential clients with attorneys, there are fewer engagement metrics if comments are disabled. If a post receives more interaction, it is more likely to pop up in a user’s feed. Furthermore, if comments were disabled, social media platforms would have a much harder time recommending videos.
People would not be able to share their thoughts. A big aspect of social media is having the ability to debate and state opinions. Disabling comments would make it difficult for people to do this. Sharing beliefs can make others feel validated and part of a community. It can even encourage them to take positive actions such as upload with more confidence and become involved in causes and organizations that matter to them.
Social media has its name for a reason. With the removal of comments and messaging, it loses its social aspect.
If bullies and trolls become intolerable, users should just block them and report them to the social media platform.
It is a misconception that comments are the root of bullying and trolling. Comments are what people with bad intentions use to make fun of other people, but hurtful and dangerous interactions could still take place without comments because those people could still make insulting or mocking posts. Therefore, removing comments isn’t doing much.
To counter all the bullying and trolling that takes place in comments, social media could inform users about why these actions are problematic. People care about the social media platforms they are members of and would likely value the feedback of the platform itself. Additionally, influencers with a following should spread messages about kindness and tolerance through posts and videos.
Social media, without two of its main features, would become an empty shell filled with just videos and posts. Therefore, social media platforms and users should recognize that removing comments and directing messaging capability won’t stop bullying and trolling, only spreading awareness will.
