In the vibrant yet often chaotic world of Filipino social media, a specific type of user has become all too familiar. This is the person who treats every joyful post as a personal challenge, transforming celebrations into critiques and good news into debates. According to an opinion piece by Herman M. Lagon published on January 19, 2026, these individuals act as self-appointed moral guardians, casting a shadow over online spaces meant for connection.
The Face of Digital Negativity
These users don't just offer mild criticism; they deliver full-blown negativity, often prefaced with phrases like "Just saying" or "Not to ruin the moment but...". The article highlights a real example from Iloilo, where a teacher shared her happiness over students submitting clean exam papers. Instead of sharing her joy, a commenter questioned whether the students were truly learning or just memorizing. This behavior turns comment sections into arenas where sincerity is attacked.
The impact is significant. While citing a 2019 study by the American Psychiatric Association that found over a third of U.S. adults believe social media harms mental health, the piece notes this resonates deeply in the Philippines. Filipinos are among the world's most active social media users, averaging four hours per day online. For many, including teachers, the emotional drain comes not from their work but from the toxicity encountered during a quick scroll.
Practical Strategies for Self-Preservation
Dealing with this environment requires proactive steps. The first and most effective strategy is to limit engagement. This can mean turning off notifications for stressful apps or even uninstalling them during high-pressure times like exam weeks. Media outlets like Rappler and Inquirer suggest moving away from passive doomscrolling. Instead, users should actively curate their feeds, treating social media like a personalized reading list rather than an emotional minefield.
Setting boundaries is not rude; it's essential for mental well-being. Using mute, block, and unfollow features are acts of self-preservation. An Iloilo university student shared her experience of muting a former professor who constantly belittled her achievements, realizing she did not "owe anyone access to my peace." Licensed therapist Jin Kim's insights reinforce that seeking validation from toxic people is often futile, and boundaries exist to protect you, not to change others.
Beyond Clicks: Cultivating Mindful Use
Protection goes deeper than platform settings. It involves mindfulness about why you log on. Are you checking on friends, or seeking validation for a bad day? Being aware of your motives makes you less susceptible to comparison and anger. This reflective practice helps you notice your internal state before reacting to external noise.
When needed, a complete digital detox is a powerful coping tool. It's not just a trend. A University of Pennsylvania study found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily significantly reduced feelings of depression and loneliness. A teacher managing multiple subjects reclaimed her sanity by restricting Facebook checks to after dinner, quipping that she used to "digest negativity instead of food" during lunch scrolls.
The article concludes with a call for understanding, noting that sometimes toxic behavior stems from the commenter's own pain. While this isn't an excuse, it's a reminder that "hurt people hurt people." The most radical response is often not to argue but to disengage with compassion, scroll past, and protect your peace. In the end, no one has ever changed a negative online persona by fighting in the comments.
