Frustrations surrounding new social platforms are not a recent phenomenon. As networks continue to emerge, veteran users often find themselves annoyed by newcomers. In the early-to-mid-1990s, many individuals first accessed the internet upon entering college. Each September, a wave of new users would connect to their university’s network, exploring forums and discussion groups.
Technologist and writer Anil Dash notes that seasoned internet users were often frustrated by newcomers’ lack of understanding of social norms, a scenario recurring today. September was particularly daunting for online veterans as AOL expanded access, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated the telecommunications industry, enhancing internet connectivity in homes and institutions across the U.S. This era was dubbed the Eternal September due to the continuous influx of new internet users.
This pattern has been observed with platforms like LiveJournal and Twitter. In 2009, actor and investor Ashton Kutcher challenged CNN to a race to one million Twitter followers. This event sparked a surge of users onto the microblogging platform.
Lubchansky sees such moments as opportunities for individuals to reevaluate their response etiquette online. Suggestions include thoroughly reading posts before responding and checking if jokes have already been made before posting them.
Brown regards the blocking function on Bluesky as beneficial to both parties. She typically chooses to block individuals who do not understand, preventing future interactions without hard feelings. This approach contrasts with the culture on X, where insult-laden quote-tweets are common. Brown aims to avoid repeating the negative aspects of Twitter that cause frustration.
The Onion, a satirical site, holds the fifth-largest account on Bluesky, surpassing 1.2 million followers. Onion CEO Ben Collins appreciates when people earnestly reply to jokes, considering it one of the internet’s funniest aspects, as it indicates wider reach and engagement with their content.
For longtime Twitter users, such as the author, frustration can arise when humorous posts are misinterpreted. However, it is recognized as inequitable to reproach newcomers unfamiliar with long-standing internet dynamics. With new users settling into digital communities, it’s worth noting the robust blocking features on platforms like Bluesky if challenges occur.
