Online political debates taking toll on friendships

Debating about the upcoming elections online takes a worse toll on friendships than real-life face-to-face discussiona, a university professor said on Thursday.

According to Danny Arao, a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications, debating on conflicting opinions is normal, but the widespread reach of social media tends to blow issues out of proportion.

"Dati na siyempre yung subjectivism sa mga tao, pero we're able to keep it in check sapagkat ito ay mga personal na mga conversation lamang o mga personal na pakikipagpulong lamang na nangyayari. Pero ngayon dahil sa social media, everything gets blown out of proportion," Arao told GMA News reporter Jun Veneracion.

Joyce Simpas, a netizen, said discussing the May 9 elections with her friends on their private chat group literally caused her blood pressure to spike.

"Dati normal talaga yung BP ko. Tapos bigla na lang may nararamdaman, akala ko O.A. (overacting) lang ako. May nararamdaman na 'kong- kasi after yung sunod-sunod na altercations, kumbaga," Simpas said.

Their online skirmishes even prompted her to block a close friend to preempt any falling out between them.

"I blocked one of my closest friends. As in, blocked. Pero not because I don't like her but just because I don't want it to end really badly," Simpas said.

Arao advised netizens to keep their heads cool online and to avoid burning bridges as they stand up for their political beliefs.

"Normal naman yung mapagod, magkaroon ng disillusionment or disenfranchisement. Pero 'wag naman isalin ito sa mga personal na pagsusunog ng tulay or burning bridges sa mga kaibigan," he said.

"Iba pa rin yung meron kang sariling pamilya, meron kang sariling kaibigan bagamat may pagkakaiba ng opinion sa mga bagay-bagay. Sa bandang huli, kayo ay magkakaibigan pa 'rin," Arao said. —Rie Takumi/APG, GMA News