What psychosocial factors lead to bickering, etc. in online forums among older men?

[Lee65]

Online forums often become breeding grounds for argumentativeness and hostility, particularly among older men, due to a confluence of psychosocial factors tied to identity, social dynamics, and aging-related challenges. Below is an analysis of key contributors:

Social Isolation and Loss of Purpose

Older men face heightened risks of social disconnectedness due to retirement, widowhood, or declining health, which can erode their sense of autonomy and self-worth36. This isolation may drive them to seek validation through online engagement, where disagreements become a misguided substitute for meaningful connection6. For example:

• Retirement or loss of work identity removes a traditional source of masculine pride, leading some to assert dominance in online debates4.

• Physical limitations or chronic pain can amplify frustration, which is redirected into aggressive online behavior3.

Masculinity and Identity Threats

Dominant cultural narratives tie masculinity to control, productivity, and stoicism. Aging often undermines these traits, creating psychological tension:

• Loss of control: Older men may perceive online arguments as a way to reclaim agency, particularly when faced with age-related declines in physical or cognitive abilities46.

• Defensive posturing: Correcting others or "winning" debates reinforces a fragile self-image tied to competence, as described in accounts of men who equate disagreement with personal failure14.

• Internalized stigma: Reluctance to discuss mental health or vulnerability offline may manifest as hostility online, where anonymity allows unfiltered expression36.

Forum Design and Anonymity

Platform dynamics exacerbate conflicts:

• Public visibility: Posts are seen by broad audiences, inviting scrutiny and turning debates into performative acts of self-validation57.

• Lack of moderation: Poorly regulated forums enable "flame wars," where users prioritize dominance over constructive dialogue27.

• Asynchronous communication: The absence of real-time feedback (e.g., tone, body language) fosters misinterpretation and escalation57.

Coping Mechanisms and Escalation

For some older men, online arguments serve as maladaptive coping strategies:

• Avoiding shame: Withdrawing from real-world interactions to evade ageism or stigma, while seeking control in anonymous spaces46.

• Cognitive rigidity: Aging may correlate with less flexibility in accepting alternative viewpoints, intensifying confrontations26.

• Mortality awareness: Confronting life-limiting diagnoses or bereavement can heighten existential frustration, channeled into online conflicts34.

In summary, the interplay of aging-related identity crises, social isolation, and platform design creates a fertile environment for contentious online behavior. Addressing this issue requires interventions that foster offline social connectedness, redefine masculine identity beyond productivity, and improve forum moderation to reduce toxic interactions367.

Citations:

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/nosurf/comments/11rcvyc/i_am_one_week_clean_from_arguing_with_people/
2. https://aneclecticmind.com/2008/04/11/why-forums-suck/
3. https://www.mhfa.com.au/supporting-older-men-with-mental-health-conversations/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5017240/
5. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-arguing-online/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11050630/
7. https://www.cityclub.org/blog/2021/07/12/its-not-just-bad-behavior--why-social-media-design-makes-it-hard-to-have-constructive-disagreements-online
8. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00812463231186335
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563217304764
10. https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualConversation/comments/1bh46g4/why_does_everyone_argue_so_much_on_the_internet/
11. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-do-internet-forums-get-so-hostile_b_59bc3f49e4b0390a1564dd76
12. https://arxiv.org/html/2405.15930v1
13. https://www.e-therapy.uk/articles/nasty-words
14. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0261927X211066889
15. https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1981990/why-are-people-so-rude-nasty-on-the-internet
16. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167865520300477
17. https://community.oneplus.com/thread/29966
18. https://www.academia.edu/3626334/Collective_argumentative_criticism_in_informal_online_discussion_forums
19. https://hardforum.com/threads/general-nastiness-in-online-gaming-forums-in-general.1342975/post-1032991748
20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610225002285
21. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/relationship-between-social-media-use-and-psychosocial-outcomes-in-older-adults-a-systematic-review/489FE4D4C9D8E0A482D58B5EA0F48BFA
22. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjrm/70/4/70_344/_article/
23. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6366441/
24. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10608265241256258
25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbfOziAQaY
26. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.5901
27. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2Fpage-2
28. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2013-12-19-older-men-most-likely-link-video-games-aggression
29. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1340575-My-elderly-husband-is-getting-angry-argumentative
30. https://www.loveshack.org/forums/topic/591985-what-do-younger-girls-see-in-older-guys/page/10/
31. https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriavouloumanos/teenagers-who-dated-predatory-older-men-2
32. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1260291-Anyone-elses-husband-turned-into-a-Grumpy-old-man
33. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5559647/
34. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/41101/Metis_190669.pdf
35. https://aclanthology.org/P16-2032.pdf
36. https://www.reddit.com/r/MMORPG/comments/pizmk3/why_do_official_mmo_forums_tend_to_be_so_toxic/
37. https://psychcentral.com/relationships/older-men-dating-younger-women
38. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenOver30/comments/j0bs5w/those_of_you_who_dated_older_men_how_did_it_turn/
39. https://www.reddit.com/r/dating_advice/comments/1beahew/why_do_older_men_only_approach_me/
40. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2F

---

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

[cdemundo]

Well no matter why AN has it in spades.

 

I expect the sun will rise tomorrow.

Some will think I am a Fascist and others a Leftist for saying that.

[Gandtee]

Nonsense. Name calling is indefensible. But seems to be acceptable in some countries political arena now. Disagreement and putting opposing opinions is not bickering, or confined to the aged. 

[short-Timer]

Sounds like someone had AI spew four thousand words psychoanalyzing what the rest of us just call being a grumpy old git with WiFi. Apparently getting cranky online is not just bad manners, it is now a full-blown medical condition according to people with too much free time. Who knew all it took to explain a few angry posts was a PhD thesis and absolutely no sense of humour. Imagine writing an entire essay to diagnose what could have been solved with a cuppa and a nap. Turns out it is not just arthritis setting in, it is also chronic comment section rage syndrome. So basically, old blokes are arguing online because they are bored and stubborn, but thanks for making it sound like a groundbreaking scientific discovery.

[mikebike]

Is this what passes for a coherent post these days... 🤔🤷 AI generated drek.

[Negita43]

What psychosocial factors lead to someone posting a subject like this??

[Yagoda]

29 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

What psychosocial factors lead to someone posting a subject like this??

Boredom

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, cdemundo said:

Well no matter why AN has it in spades.

 

I expect the sun will rise tomorrow.

Some will think I am a Fascist and others a Leftist for saying that.

Lefty fascist

[Mike_Hunt]

1 hour ago, Lee65 said:

Online forums often become breeding grounds for argumentativeness and hostility, particularly among older men, due to a confluence of psychosocial factors tied to identity, social dynamics, and aging-related challenges. Below is an analysis of key contributors:

Social Isolation and Loss of Purpose

Older men face heightened risks of social disconnectedness due to retirement, widowhood, or declining health, which can erode their sense of autonomy and self-worth36. This isolation may drive them to seek validation through online engagement, where disagreements become a misguided substitute for meaningful connection6. For example:

• Retirement or loss of work identity removes a traditional source of masculine pride, leading some to assert dominance in online debates4.

• Physical limitations or chronic pain can amplify frustration, which is redirected into aggressive online behavior3.

Masculinity and Identity Threats

Dominant cultural narratives tie masculinity to control, productivity, and stoicism. Aging often undermines these traits, creating psychological tension:

• Loss of control: Older men may perceive online arguments as a way to reclaim agency, particularly when faced with age-related declines in physical or cognitive abilities46.

• Defensive posturing: Correcting others or "winning" debates reinforces a fragile self-image tied to competence, as described in accounts of men who equate disagreement with personal failure14.

• Internalized stigma: Reluctance to discuss mental health or vulnerability offline may manifest as hostility online, where anonymity allows unfiltered expression36.

Forum Design and Anonymity

Platform dynamics exacerbate conflicts:

• Public visibility: Posts are seen by broad audiences, inviting scrutiny and turning debates into performative acts of self-validation57.

• Lack of moderation: Poorly regulated forums enable "flame wars," where users prioritize dominance over constructive dialogue27.

• Asynchronous communication: The absence of real-time feedback (e.g., tone, body language) fosters misinterpretation and escalation57.

Coping Mechanisms and Escalation

For some older men, online arguments serve as maladaptive coping strategies:

• Avoiding shame: Withdrawing from real-world interactions to evade ageism or stigma, while seeking control in anonymous spaces46.

• Cognitive rigidity: Aging may correlate with less flexibility in accepting alternative viewpoints, intensifying confrontations26.

• Mortality awareness: Confronting life-limiting diagnoses or bereavement can heighten existential frustration, channeled into online conflicts34.

In summary, the interplay of aging-related identity crises, social isolation, and platform design creates a fertile environment for contentious online behavior. Addressing this issue requires interventions that foster offline social connectedness, redefine masculine identity beyond productivity, and improve forum moderation to reduce toxic interactions367.

Citations:

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/nosurf/comments/11rcvyc/i_am_one_week_clean_from_arguing_with_people/
2. https://aneclecticmind.com/2008/04/11/why-forums-suck/
3. https://www.mhfa.com.au/supporting-older-men-with-mental-health-conversations/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5017240/
5. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-arguing-online/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11050630/
7. https://www.cityclub.org/blog/2021/07/12/its-not-just-bad-behavior--why-social-media-design-makes-it-hard-to-have-constructive-disagreements-online
8. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00812463231186335
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563217304764
10. https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualConversation/comments/1bh46g4/why_does_everyone_argue_so_much_on_the_internet/
11. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-do-internet-forums-get-so-hostile_b_59bc3f49e4b0390a1564dd76
12. https://arxiv.org/html/2405.15930v1
13. https://www.e-therapy.uk/articles/nasty-words
14. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0261927X211066889
15. https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1981990/why-are-people-so-rude-nasty-on-the-internet
16. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167865520300477
17. https://community.oneplus.com/thread/29966
18. https://www.academia.edu/3626334/Collective_argumentative_criticism_in_informal_online_discussion_forums
19. https://hardforum.com/threads/general-nastiness-in-online-gaming-forums-in-general.1342975/post-1032991748
20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610225002285
21. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/relationship-between-social-media-use-and-psychosocial-outcomes-in-older-adults-a-systematic-review/489FE4D4C9D8E0A482D58B5EA0F48BFA
22. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjrm/70/4/70_344/_article/
23. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6366441/
24. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10608265241256258
25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbfOziAQaY
26. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.5901
27. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2Fpage-2
28. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2013-12-19-older-men-most-likely-link-video-games-aggression
29. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1340575-My-elderly-husband-is-getting-angry-argumentative
30. https://www.loveshack.org/forums/topic/591985-what-do-younger-girls-see-in-older-guys/page/10/
31. https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriavouloumanos/teenagers-who-dated-predatory-older-men-2
32. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1260291-Anyone-elses-husband-turned-into-a-Grumpy-old-man
33. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5559647/
34. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/41101/Metis_190669.pdf
35. https://aclanthology.org/P16-2032.pdf
36. https://www.reddit.com/r/MMORPG/comments/pizmk3/why_do_official_mmo_forums_tend_to_be_so_toxic/
37. https://psychcentral.com/relationships/older-men-dating-younger-women
38. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenOver30/comments/j0bs5w/those_of_you_who_dated_older_men_how_did_it_turn/
39. https://www.reddit.com/r/dating_advice/comments/1beahew/why_do_older_men_only_approach_me/
40. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2F

---

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

BTW..did you happen to look at some of the citations? 

[short-Timer]

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Lefty fascist

Stalker troll. Projecting. 

[MalcolmB]

I notice others like that but I am above it all and just ignore the idiots.

Some people love to argue and would argue in an empty room.

I just come on this forum to learn and share knowledge 

[GammaGlobulin]

Did you say psychosexual factors?

 

[short-Timer]

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Did you say psychosexual factors?

 

No. That's what spending 23 hours a day on Pornhub does to the membrane. Give it a rest FFS. 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, Lee65 said:

Online forums often become breeding grounds for argumentativeness and hostility, particularly among older men, due to a confluence of psychosocial factors tied to identity, social dynamics, and aging-related challenges. Below is an analysis of key contributors:

Social Isolation and Loss of Purpose

Older men face heightened risks of social disconnectedness due to retirement, widowhood, or declining health, which can erode their sense of autonomy and self-worth36. This isolation may drive them to seek validation through online engagement, where disagreements become a misguided substitute for meaningful connection6. For example:

• Retirement or loss of work identity removes a traditional source of masculine pride, leading some to assert dominance in online debates4.

• Physical limitations or chronic pain can amplify frustration, which is redirected into aggressive online behavior3.

Masculinity and Identity Threats

Dominant cultural narratives tie masculinity to control, productivity, and stoicism. Aging often undermines these traits, creating psychological tension:

• Loss of control: Older men may perceive online arguments as a way to reclaim agency, particularly when faced with age-related declines in physical or cognitive abilities46.

• Defensive posturing: Correcting others or "winning" debates reinforces a fragile self-image tied to competence, as described in accounts of men who equate disagreement with personal failure14.

• Internalized stigma: Reluctance to discuss mental health or vulnerability offline may manifest as hostility online, where anonymity allows unfiltered expression36.

Forum Design and Anonymity

Platform dynamics exacerbate conflicts:

• Public visibility: Posts are seen by broad audiences, inviting scrutiny and turning debates into performative acts of self-validation57.

• Lack of moderation: Poorly regulated forums enable "flame wars," where users prioritize dominance over constructive dialogue27.

• Asynchronous communication: The absence of real-time feedback (e.g., tone, body language) fosters misinterpretation and escalation57.

Coping Mechanisms and Escalation

For some older men, online arguments serve as maladaptive coping strategies:

• Avoiding shame: Withdrawing from real-world interactions to evade ageism or stigma, while seeking control in anonymous spaces46.

• Cognitive rigidity: Aging may correlate with less flexibility in accepting alternative viewpoints, intensifying confrontations26.

• Mortality awareness: Confronting life-limiting diagnoses or bereavement can heighten existential frustration, channeled into online conflicts34.

In summary, the interplay of aging-related identity crises, social isolation, and platform design creates a fertile environment for contentious online behavior. Addressing this issue requires interventions that foster offline social connectedness, redefine masculine identity beyond productivity, and improve forum moderation to reduce toxic interactions367.

Citations:

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/nosurf/comments/11rcvyc/i_am_one_week_clean_from_arguing_with_people/
2. https://aneclecticmind.com/2008/04/11/why-forums-suck/
3. https://www.mhfa.com.au/supporting-older-men-with-mental-health-conversations/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5017240/
5. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-stop-arguing-online/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11050630/
7. https://www.cityclub.org/blog/2021/07/12/its-not-just-bad-behavior--why-social-media-design-makes-it-hard-to-have-constructive-disagreements-online
8. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00812463231186335
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563217304764
10. https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualConversation/comments/1bh46g4/why_does_everyone_argue_so_much_on_the_internet/
11. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-do-internet-forums-get-so-hostile_b_59bc3f49e4b0390a1564dd76
12. https://arxiv.org/html/2405.15930v1
13. https://www.e-therapy.uk/articles/nasty-words
14. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0261927X211066889
15. https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1981990/why-are-people-so-rude-nasty-on-the-internet
16. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167865520300477
17. https://community.oneplus.com/thread/29966
18. https://www.academia.edu/3626334/Collective_argumentative_criticism_in_informal_online_discussion_forums
19. https://hardforum.com/threads/general-nastiness-in-online-gaming-forums-in-general.1342975/post-1032991748
20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610225002285
21. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/relationship-between-social-media-use-and-psychosocial-outcomes-in-older-adults-a-systematic-review/489FE4D4C9D8E0A482D58B5EA0F48BFA
22. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjrm/70/4/70_344/_article/
23. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6366441/
24. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10608265241256258
25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbfOziAQaY
26. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.5901
27. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2Fpage-2
28. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2013-12-19-older-men-most-likely-link-video-games-aggression
29. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1340575-My-elderly-husband-is-getting-angry-argumentative
30. https://www.loveshack.org/forums/topic/591985-what-do-younger-girls-see-in-older-guys/page/10/
31. https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriavouloumanos/teenagers-who-dated-predatory-older-men-2
32. https://www.gransnet.com/forums/relationships/1260291-Anyone-elses-husband-turned-into-a-Grumpy-old-man
33. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5559647/
34. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/41101/Metis_190669.pdf
35. https://aclanthology.org/P16-2032.pdf
36. https://www.reddit.com/r/MMORPG/comments/pizmk3/why_do_official_mmo_forums_tend_to_be_so_toxic/
37. https://psychcentral.com/relationships/older-men-dating-younger-women
38. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenOver30/comments/j0bs5w/those_of_you_who_dated_older_men_how_did_it_turn/
39. https://www.reddit.com/r/dating_advice/comments/1beahew/why_do_older_men_only_approach_me/
40. https://www.drummerworld.com/forums/index.php?threads%2Fold-man-advice-to-young-men.186788%2F

---

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

A big factor that contributes is when somebody is starting a topic based on Perplexity AI.

[realfunster]

Brilliant post.

 

Could be added to the similar topic

"Why do so many people hold and share strong/extreme political views, create long-winded posts and engage in arguments, when it has zero tangible influence on themselves, or the world"

 

Go for a run, shag the wife, read a book, walk the dog, watch a documentary, get drunk, listen to music.

All much more personally impactful and better for you than ranting on t'internet over things you cannot possibly influence. 

[TedG]

13 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

A big factor that contributes is when somebody is starting a topic based on Perplexity AI.

It's call AI hallucination.

[blaze master]

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

Lefty fascist

 

I would of went with tesla driver.

[blaze master]

Fear.

[lamyai3]

It's a combination of the much older phenomenon of grumpy old men, emboldened by the anonymity of internet forums. Mostly benign, and generally a lot less harmful than the social media cesspools that suck in younger generations. 

[save the frogs]

You are putting on overly negative spin on things. 

 

For one thing, they can be labeled debates, not necessarily bickering, which has a more derogatory slant on it. 

 

And the debates are about rather complex issues. It's not like people are bickering constantly over nonsense, apart from ocassionally.

 

When it comes to politics, it's complex. So it's normal that arguments will occur.

 

 

 

[Mike_Hunt]

Check out sites like Reddit, which are inhabited mainly by the younger generations, and check out the state of discourse.  

[spidermike007]

Cognitive rigidity seems to be a big one here. Those that seem to be able to dance on their feet and maintain an open mind seem to have a much better chance of getting along with others. I'm often discussing politics as many of you have noticed but it really ever becomes personal for me. On the other hand I'm very frequently attacked for not paying sufficient fealty to the current circus clown. 

[hotsun]

Old people arent that bad. Not if youve seen what young people are thinking. Everyones true nature comes out online.

[SAFETY FIRST]

12 hours ago, Lee65 said:

Online forums often become breeding grounds for argumentativeness and hostility, particularly among older men

 

due to a confluence of psychosocial factors

YEP

 

I make comment to the article or OP.

I don't interact with ANYONE unless I've received a hostile reply to my comments. 

 

Too many here just looking for an argument, conflict excites them. 

 

I'm not sure about psychosocial, but definitely psycho comes to mind. 

[daveAustin]

What psychosocial factors lead to bickering, etc. in online forums among older men?
 

Being a baby boomer #1 😂