Think before your speak…and type-Abstaining from offensive statements in social media interaction:

Based on the above prohibition, one must be very careful when speaking with another person that he does not express any words that he assesses that can offend or insult the other person. This especially applies in social media when people often don’t feel the intimidation that would normally be present when someone is in front of you, and certainly when one can hide behind anonymous names. One must be very careful that his comments are worded properly so they don’t offend someone, and must be especially careful not to outright attack someone in his comments. It is most puzzling and upsetting to see that there exists websites that are run by religious Jews which allow users to comment with offensive and derogatory remarks, and most certainly they and the commentators transgress the above prohibition, or at least the prohibition of Lifnei Iver Lo Siten Michshol.

Some suggestive guidelines for avoiding possibly offensive comments:

1.       When in doubt do without: If you are unsure whether your comments will be taken offensively, then better avoid them all together, unless the matter is of necessity to bring up, in which case it is to be weighed carefully. You don’t have to respond and comment on every post, especially if it may come in the expense of transgressing a Biblical command.

2.       Rethink your words several times before posting.

3.       Avoid using targeting language such as “You,” and rather simply state your point in the affirmative. For example, rather than saying “You are wrong”; “It seems evident you don’t know how to read.”; “You are making things up”; keep out the “you” and simply state your point such as “I believe the correct approach is” or “It is clear from the article that.” These subtle but necessary changes in one’s comment can make a world of a difference to the person who it was intended for. It encourages civil dialogue, and avoids battles of the egos.