We live in a world where we can no longer single out someone's gender, nationality, religion, or even their age. These factors have become extremely sensitive and inappropriate to discuss. It seems that one side of our morals is changing rapidly in the pursuit of being more inclusive, sensitive, and sensible, while in other areas of our existence, such as the internet, morality is being lost.

We are now punished, fired, expelled, and even banned for raising or criticising any of the above or similar matters. Yet online criticism seems to have never received 'the memo' and appears to function under its own set of rules. Unpunished and unquestioned, forever evolving, online commentary exists without being challenged or even asked to justify itself.

Artists from all over the world are subjected to online criticism and savage judgment. While it is human nature to take sides and have an opinion, online 'one-liners' often exceed any acceptable limits and get away with brutal commentary on a daily basis. Words like 'fake,' 'you are worthless,' 'weird,' and 'pathetic' — attacks that go far beyond critique of the art itself and strike at the person behind it — have become almost normal on internet platforms. While some ignore cruel comments, others respond and attempt to push back.

But at what cost do we fight back or choose to ignore the criticism? And who is sitting behind the digital screen — an oblivious child, a foreigner still learning the language and unaware of the meaning behind their words, someone struggling mentally, or perhaps technological systems and algorithms now influencing what is highlighted and ridiculed? Is this criticism a cry for help, attention-seeking, or simply an outlet? Escapism from new norms and regulations, a safe playground to unleash frustration and violate, or a technology-driven system that only cares about traffic and revenue?

The uncertainty of who we are speaking to, and who is speaking back to us, is staggering. Yet the comments directed at us can have a massive impact on our lives. Artists are already vulnerable, revealing parts of themselves through their art that others would never even dare to show. But in today's world, without online exposure, artists risk being left behind tomorrow.

This modern way of living affects us in ways few are willing to fully acknowledge. We hear horrendous stories of people taking their own lives after online abuse — a single comment spiralling into sleepless nights, replayed endlessly until despair overwhelms them. Others exist online in a constant state of anxiety, no longer seeking a safe space where they can be themselves, but instead searching for approval and validation from total strangers.

Before any artist shares their work, it belongs entirely to them. The moment it goes online, it no longer does. And sometimes, what comes back in return is something they were never prepared to carry. No one sees artists sitting in silence, wondering whether creating was worth it at all. No one hears the internal dialogue of the subconscious mind rising to the surface, feeding their self-doubt. Yet so many online users are eager to pass judgment. Not only do they comment the moment the artwork is released to the internet, but they are anticipating and almost demanding the next post so they can once again pass their judgment.

In many ways, comments influence and shape the art that artists produce or choose to showcase online. We are becoming obsessed with the clicking system — how many followers or likes we receive — rather than concentrating on what we have learned throughout the journey of creating art, about our craft and about ourselves.

It seems that today everyone is a critic, and our criticism extends into everything we see, eat, touch, wear, or purchase. But were those boundaries ever meant to be crossed? And is the reaction we create in that moment truly for our own good, or is it part of a larger, profit-driven global system?

Regardless of what is happening behind the scenes of commentary and rating systems, what really needs to be addressed is how we treat one another. The bigger question is: what do we do with online criticism? Do we block, ignore, or engage?

There is no single correct answer. Everyone responds to bullying in their own way. But perhaps we can shine a light on this issue from another angle. We all carry both negative and positive thoughts. As life unfolds, when too many difficult things happen to us, our bodies may store negative energy and eventually seek to release it in order to regain balance. In a way, people who 'let off steam' may feel they are doing the right thing for themselves. But do they truly understand what they are doing and how their actions affect others?

An outlet is necessary. However, by unleashing our own demons, we often place them onto the shoulders of others instead of letting them go responsibly. Those who appear cruel or mean are often the ones who are lost, who have been bullied or mistreated themselves. They may carry deep internal scars, insecurities, and fears.

Here lies the paradox: those who feel temporary relief by releasing their frustration can, over time, make others just as fearful, insecure, wounded, and vicious as they once were — trapping them in the same cycle of cruelty.

But in reality, artists are not psychologists, doctors, or emotional caretakers. We are not here to teach others or direct them onto the correct path in morality and life. Empathy is not something we can simply pull out of a hat when we are constantly bombarded with unfair comments and feel unsafe and unprotected.

It is easy to give someone advice on how to deal with undeserved judgment, especially when you are sitting on the other side, watching the mayhem unfold as an observer. But you will not find such advice here. Instead, the harsh reality is that criticism exists not only within the boundaries of the internet but also outside of it, and it always has, and always will.

The world of criticism will never be fully tamed. While the digital space can be unpredictable and harsh, artists retain one constant: their ability to create, to express, and to share what is uniquely theirs. We may not control the comments, but we can control our process, our perspective, and our resilience. And while the comments can hurt like a stabbing wound, the reality is that this is the price we all pay for self-expression — and whether it's all worth it lies with the artist.

One thing we need to remember when making art is that cruel words will eventually be overwritten, spoken over, forgotten in passing conversation and lost in the endless flow of online interactions, updates, and upgrades; our art will, however, endure — outliving criticism and travelling farther than any mean comment ever could, ever would, or ever hoped for.

If you are experiencing bullying or struggling mentally due to online or offline abuse, please reach out for support. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential help. If you are outside Australia, please seek local support services or helplines available in your country.