If we accept this as true, then there are a lot of ugly faces out there.

The notion of faceless meanies on the internet is spreading.

It is not just limited to trolls who lurk in the depths of comment sections.

It seems that everyone wants to try their hand at adding a touch of rude spice into their online life.

Yours truly works in the digital realm at The Examiner, where article comments and social media are a day-to-day business.

Daily, we see the regulars flock to examiner.com.au, expressing their opinions and engaging with other commenters.

It is a great insight into the minds within our community.

Often punctuating the newsroom is the clap of hands and a fist-pump at an inspiring comment, or a howl of "Aww, ya can't say that" at a foul one.

Ninety per cent of the discussions are informative and positive but unfortunately, there is the occasion where they can turn downright nasty.

It's when this happens that one wonders what the person behind the username is really like.

Why do they choose to pick fights? Why do they keep returning, week in week out, to the same columnist who it's clear that they will never agree with?

Most of the time, we will never meet so these questions will go on unanswered.

On Facebook, it's a different story.

There are countless studies that investigate and in some cases prove the link between Facebook and narcissism.

It's unclear whether narcissists gravitate towards Facebook, or if the prowess of that little blue F seduces people into self- promoting vanity.

Author and adventure capitalist Bill Davidow writes at The Atlantic: "In virtual space many of the physical interactions that restrain behaviour vanish. Delusions of grandeur, narcissism, viciousness, impulsivity, and infantile behaviour for some individuals rise to the surface."

The link between online anonymity and being a negative Nancy is well proven.

What is frightening is how this is now prolific on the third-most visited website in the world, even when the anonymity is gone and those being baited are family, friends, colleagues and that person you see around but will never talk to in real life.

One study found that the types of behaviour that are enhanced by browsing Facebook - a lack of self control and a pumped-up ego - are similar to those experienced after a couple of drinks.

That's right, we're getting legless on social media.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with holding social media acquaintances, journalists and other commenters accountable for their opinions, but sometimes it seems that people are forgetting their manners.

Sometimes we forget that it's not an emotionless LCD screen we are interacting with - it is another human being.

So why do we do it? Why do we insult mercilessly? Troll? Can we blame it on boredom or Mark Zuckerberg? Or is there a scarier thought: it's actually just us?

The rule of thumb should be: if you would not say it to someone's face, don't type it.