So you stumble across a racist joke, a NSFW image, or an opinion that you find personally insulting — welcome to the Internet, I’ll be your guide.

It’s in our human nature to overreact to things. In 1974, a man flunked out of training to be a helicopter pilot, so he stole a helicopter from Fort Meade, and flew it to the White House to hover in front and impress the president with his skills. This is actually a hilarious story worthy of its own article, but that’s not the point right now.

The point is, it’s 2015 and the Internet has revolutionized everything. It has replaced and in some cases, enhanced, communication globally. Due to anonymity, it has also become a harbor for some weird things, and Internet trolls are one of these.

Internet trolls love to feed on the helpless. There are endless fake news sites dedicated to trolling people, and Twitter accounts such as Meninism, which are blatantly offensive, with the purpose of making people laugh. When browsing on the Internet, remember that many things aren’t meant to be taken seriously. There is a special type of humor exclusive to anonymous people on the Internet, and it is revealing aspects about what is socially acceptable and politically correct versus what we actually think. 

There are things on the Internet that you will laugh at and then feel bad about. There are things on the Internet that you will laugh at and never tell anyone about because they will judge you. There is a (mostly) mutual understanding that these things are a joke and made to make people laugh by being shocking or even straight up mean. Is it a good thing? Maybe not. Does it entertain and serve its purpose? Yes. Will it continue? Probably.

I would like to think that we have evolved past getting offended over stupid jokes, but as the Internet is also proving, that is not the case. That’s actually one of the best things about the Internet — free speech, and an equal platform for anyone who wants to say something. Unfortunately, trolls and those who overreact alike both get access to this equal platform.

To be on the safe side, take everything on the Internet with a grain of salt. Use the correct version of there, their and they’re. If you’re uninformed, find a source or keep it to yourself. Think about your experience as humorous rather than offensive, and remember that even if you do get offended, no one really gives a shit.