I grew up with the saying “Sticks and stones might break our bones but words will never hurt us.” 

In an era of social media influences and streaming, online gaming and doxxing, this is not the case. Nor has it probably ever been the case. 

I think we don’t measure the psychological damage hurtful words can make because they don’t leave outward, measurable damage like hitting someone with a brick would. However they’re potentially more damaging and trauma-inducing. 

We’ve learned that punching people we disagree with isn’t condonable. Why is using verbal abuse tolerated even though there are plenty of ways to healthily disagree and express anger towards someone that don’t involve demonizing them or attacking their character?

Let’s all grow up.