Death and the Internet: When is it Time to Log Off?

With two recent deadly interactions stemming from Facebook, it forces users to open their eyes and see the darker side of social media. As its name suggests, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. are supposed to be about being social and interacting with people, both near and far. However, these interactions can oftentimes lead to conflicts. Anybody who has ever been a user on any of these sites can probably admit they’ve had a little argument or disagreement over one thing or another while online. Sometimes differing opinions become a little too heated and it can lead to a little name-calling and some back and forth. For most people, that’s where it ends. Maybe they agree to disagree, stop responding, unfriend/unfollow that person or just block them altogether.

However, there are some online beefs that extend beyond the virtual world and end up on the streets often in deadly finales such as the cases of Kierra’onna Rice and Isaiah Powell. Both teenagers ended up murdered over arguments that began on Facebook and then spilled out onto the streets. To any reasonable outsider, it seems almost shocking and unbelievable how online arguments could lead to the deaths of a 14-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy. Sadly, there are countless other cases out there with the same deadly consequences.

Wasn’t there anyone available to diffuse the situation before it got to this point? Where were the parents, older siblings or any adult that could’ve squashed this? From each case, there seemed to be adults who knew about these planned meetings, yet they went on and in each case — someone had to pay the ultimate price.

As an adult, when is it time to step in and stop online arguments before they lead to face-to-face confrontations? Weigh in and tell us how you really feel.