Good Question: Why Are People So Mean Online?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A viral video shows what female sports reporters have to put up with from online haters.

To show how bad it is, a group of men read some disturbing tweets that were sent to reporters Julie DiCaro and Sarah Spain.

It got awkward fast, and it got us wondering: Why are people so mean online?

The video starts out PG enough, with men reading a few uncalled for tweets.

"Sarah Spain sounds like a nagging wife on TV," read one tweet.

But it is not long before things turn downright mean – and even threatening.

"You need to be hit in the head with a hockey puck and killed," read another tweet.

Jon Tauer is a psychology professor at the University of St. Thomas, and is also head coach of the national champion men's basketball team.

"About as distasteful as you can be," Tauer said. "We went 30 and 3 this year and I've been asked more about our three losses than our 30 victories."

He says people have a tendency to focus on the negative. And the obvious anonymity that comes with being online encourages bullies with low self-esteem.

"I can lash out online where there are no repercussions. And for a little while I can feel better for the time being, even though we know that doesn't solve anyone's inner struggles," Tauer said.

Those who work in sports and politics then become easy targets, because Tauer says people have strong opinions about both. And he says they are not about to take their frustrations out on people they know and see every day.

"It's certainly disturbing, but I don't think it's surprising," Tauer said.

He believes there is also a social contagion element. If someone posts something mean and it gets feedback, they will likely keep doing it. Unfortunately in these cases, even a small group can have a big impact.

"I think we are still talking about a relatively small sample of people who are going online and posting these disgusting, crude comments," Tauer said.

And in this case, with two female sports reporters, Tauer says there is definite gender bias.

He says male sports fans are very outspoken, but a small few do not speak for the majority.