Think Before You Subtweet: 6 Reasons To Stop Dissing People Online

Let’s be real: Most of us have posted or thought about posting a passive aggressive-comment on social media.

The infamous subtweet started it all, but people have found other platforms on which to share their low-key beefs with their followers. It can come in the form of a whiny Facebook status, an aggressive Instagram caption, a pointed Pinterest pin quote (yes, that's a thing), but either way, you're trying to subtly shade the person you're angry with on social media.

While in the moment, it may seem insanely gratifying to know the person you hate is being shamed on the Internet, it doesn't ultimately fix the situation. Plus, it will probably come back to haunt you.

Here are six reasons why we all have to stop subtweeting:

1. Your followers will perceive you as immature.

You may only be directing your tweet to the person you're mad at, but your hundreds of followers can also see your snarky comment. Now, you just look juvenile.

Chances are someone has screenshotted your remark and is mocking you before the person you want to see it even notices your post. Hurting the person you're mad at really isn't worth alienating other people or having them alter their opinions of you.

2. Or, they'll think you're dramatic.

What is the first thing you think when you view someone’s social media profile, and you notice a form of subtweeting?

"Yikes, chill with the crazy."

If you're in the market for new friends or a love interest, a profile full of subtweets isn't going to help your case. Even worse, would you want a potential employer seeing your heated subtweets? Probably not.

Don't scare people away by posting jabs; vent about it to your friends, if it is really bothering you that much. Instead of harming the person you're mad at, you’re hurting yourself and making yourself seem like a drama queen in the process.

3. No one wants to be subtweeted.

We've learned these mantras since childhood: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all," and "Treat others as you would want to be treated."

Would you want people trashing you online? Probably not. Unless they murdered your dog (in that case, drag them), the issue probably isn't worth shading them. Regardless of what they did, subtweeting isn’t warranted.

4. It gets other people involved.

When drama ensues, the more people that get involved, the more dramatic things can get. When you post something online, you're immediately inviting other people into your business.

In addition to antagonizing the person you're subtweeting, you’re also including anyone else who follows you and allowing them to express their own opinions. Nothing good can come from this.

5. Time spent subtweeting could be used for better things.

The time you're wasting agonizing over this person and Internet shaming him or her could be used for better things, plain and simple.

6. It doesn’t resolve the situation.

It may be tempting to try to make the person you're angry with sweat when he or she sees your perfectly crafted post, but it ultimately isn't going to solve the problem.

You have two choices: directly confront the person, or drop it and move on with your life. Subtweeting feels really good in the moment, but it rarely leads to a successful resolution.

The next time you're fuming with rage, think before you post. While it may be difficult to resist writing a scathing tweet, status, pin or Instagram caption about someone who has wronged you, it is probably just going to worsen the situation and cause you unnecessary stress.

Just say no to subtweeting, and your life will be much simpler.