Editorials

IS THE DISLIKE BUTTON NECESSARY?

By Pilar Valle

 01/14/2022 - Throughout the years, social media and the internet have experienced an amazing growth which has caused people’s lives to massively change. Some use the media as a way of communication with family and friends sharing pictures, and some others even create their own content to entertain others. Content creators are getting bigger and bigger with their own videos and just by talking about their passions using various topics they are able to reach viewers worldwide. Because of all the people that follow these online entertainers, almost all of them are exposed to the same thing: Harsh critics. An important element that helps with the opinions that viewers can express in social media is the well-known dislike button, which lately has been the center of discussion of many who don’t agree with the existence of it that causes multiple issues. If we have to choose between one or another, the answer is pretty simple. This button is not necessary. 

There are people who think that the dislike button provides a voice for expressing opinions to let the creators know what their public likes more or less. Some viewers even state that with the button they can warn video makers about inappropriate content. Still, having a big amount of dislikes can make entertainers develop an obsessive behavior towards social media seeking for everyone's approval, which we all know is very impossible.

In another fact, it is very clear that that side of viewers are not conscious of the harm they can create and all the consequences that can lead to. One of those consequences is suicide that is becoming common amongst streamers, youtubers… Sadly, those who think of the dislike button as a way of feedback know that they aren’t exposing themselves to any risk so they selfishly aren’t afraid of causing hate to anybody.

Also, hate can be easily avoided by ignoring content that you dislike in order to not cause problems if this button is eliminated. Creators won’t have as many insecurities or psychological issues as they can have if they receive a big number of dislikes in something they may have worked on really hard. 

Taking everything into account, as negative opinions should not be an option the best for all will be to delete the dislike button. We have to be consequent with our actions and it is easy to criticize others when you are not the one being exposed. Social media is there for enjoying others content not for debate so it is very simple to just ignore enforcing harm with the only action of not disliking other content and just ignore or avoid it.