YouTube.

Other than Facebook and Pandora, it is probably the website I use the most.

Whether I am procrastinating on homework or am bored out of my mind, I constantly find myself watching video after video.

A great tool that many utilize on YouTube is the option to make comments and to like or dislike a video.

Sometimes, it is obvious that commenting gets a bit out of hand, and it makes me wonder if the maturity level of those on YouTube is high enough for comments to even be an option.

I came across a parody of the song “Tik Tok” made by some cadets at the United States Air Force Academy. The video had page after page of comments; more than 1,500 comments, to be more specific.

Although there were a few users that commended the cadets for having some fun and others saying that the video was lame, the comments that really caught my attention were the ones badmouthing the military, as well as those arguing back.

First, it is one thing to criticize a video, or even a person in a video. However, when criticizing a video turns into a commenter attacking not only those in the video, but a group of people that protect our country, is pretty extreme, not to mention rude.

Second, are people on the Internet really immature enough to feel the need to curse at each other and argue over video comments?

Usually, the people arguing don’t know each other and most likely live at two separate ends of the nation, or even across the world.

The worst part is when people not involved in the argument in the first place get in the middle of the argumen, and it becomes a full-blown YouTube comment war.

It just doesn’t make sense to me.

What is the satisfaction of winning an argument with someone unknown?

How does calling someone names and insulting that person make commenting enjoyable for anyone.

When I get on YouTube, I want to read the intriguing and thought-provoking comments, not the ones that degrade and offend other people.

Maybe it is time that Internet users should follow a rule most people learn in kindergarten: if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.