SINCE March 2, my social media timelines have been flooded with opinions, arguments, debates and even derogatory posts (immediately unfriended those persons). Some were very enlightening and also distasteful and others were very entertaining (the memes). For the fun of imagery, I’ll describe my timelines as a cyber war zone. Some might say, ‘war’ is such a strong word but it isn’t, at least not for me. I recently came across a new phrase, “Keyboard Warriors” and that just falls directly into Guyana’s social media context to date. Today, it seems as if everybody hides behind a monitor and the weapon of their choice is a keyboard that is fuelled by words.

You might be wondering who in the world is a keyboard warrior and why is this columnist placing so much emphasis on a ‘silly-sounding’ phrase? A ‘keyboard warrior’ is someone who chooses to express themselves aggressively through words on social media mediums instead of doing so in real life. This term was coined by a vocalist named Mandy Lion (WWIII, Wicked Alliance), it was essentially used to define “a new breed of idiots which use the internet to mud-sling people who actually have lives and careers.” This term, ‘keyboard warrior,’ is a combinative meaning of the two words; ‘keyboard’ being the tool/ weapon ‘of choice and ‘warrior’ that represents the anger and hostility that this person showcases. While this term is metaphorically phrased, the effects of such a person’s behaviour are real and deadly. I have seen it firsthand throughout this week. This was evident all week long on Guyanese Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I have seen some of the most distasteful and arrogant slangs, tones and posts online recently. These ‘warriors’ spoke a language of hate and violence. They weren’t getting their hands dirty in rioting and real-life political drama, but to me, their words and online agenda insinuated most of what happened on the days after of Guyana’s elections. There is much research which proves that when we use social media, there is some form of adrenaline rush involved. When one receives thumbs up or reactions to their posts, multiple shares and tags, etc. Some of us feel really good about that. That our authenticity and words (whether negative or positive) are ‘trending.’ As a columnist, I would understand the importance of ‘perspectives’ and ‘opinions’ better than anyone else. However, when those very opinions are being used as fuel for fear, hate, racism, discrimination, aggression and even the cause of political and civil warfare, then your opinions should be disregarded. YES, I have said it.

While Facebook was ‘wilding’ with a lot of negative ‘keyboard warriors,’ I have also seen my fair share of social media advocates. People who inspire me that there is still hope, people who fact-check their posts, people who can see the difference between wrong and right, even if they have an opinionated bias. These are the type of people who make me aspire to inspire others through my written pieces such as this. From my understanding, a ‘keyboard warrior’ is also another fancy term for what we would typically call a ‘cyber-bully.’ There are the type of persons who’d put others down no matter what the cost is. They are also the type of people to attack your physicality, even though you’re trying to make a point on something completely different.

Just by reading this, I know that you’re probably already making mental notes of who these people are on your social media and if by chance you completely disagree with me on who and what a ‘keyboard-warrior’ is, then maybe you’re a part of the existing problem. Whatever you do on your social media is your business, but at the end of the day, all I ask is for us to spread messages of social cohesion, love, respect and kindness in this dark time of Guyana’s history.

Lastly, be sure to start unfriending these warriors, if you haven’t done so already—nothing but positive energy!