Date: April 27, 2025
Author: Grace Wallace

This isn’t so much a confession as it is a question. What is with people being so toxic to random individuals who are new to the Internet?

I was 19, naive, and just discovering social media back in 2018. I didn’t think there would be much bad stuff on here, to be honest. I thought it was just a place to connect with people, share thoughts, and have fun. But now that I’m older, I can say I’ve experienced something I never expected: emotional and psychological abuse.

People played with my emotions, using me like I was some kind of plaything. At first, they were nice, welcoming even. But then, slowly, they started becoming creepy and toxic towards me. I didn’t understand it at the time. I was still trying to learn the ropes of social interaction online, trying to figure out the “rules” of these platforms. I wasn’t rude or creepy to anyone — I just didn’t expect the things that happened.

Now, after everything, I realize these people were never truly kind. They just wore masks for a while until they felt comfortable enough to show their true, ugly sides. And it’s crazy. These are people, no matter how old they are, who turn out to be so messed up. They thrive on the toxicity, and I’m just one of many who fell victim to it.

It’s hard not to feel bitter, but I guess it’s a lesson learned: no matter how friendly people may seem at first, you can never fully trust the anonymity the Internet provides. You’re just another target for some people’s craziness.