I get you, I really do... I've been flagged too... I wrote a response to someone earlier, that short convo kind of got this post started.

here are some psychological effects attached to getting flag. But they are self imposed.

People attach their sense of worth to a payout on a comment or post. Hence, if that gets attacked (im being dramatic intentionally) that means in their mind their own value, their own sense of worth has been eroded. I'll share it again, because it really sheds light on my position on the matter.

But, is this true? Of course not, If I'm so weak emotionally as to attach my sense of self worth to some magic internet money (again being ridiculous intentionally) then the issue I have is a lot deeper and I probably need some counseling. Now, this is not me saying they are stupid or that they are not valuable human beings. This is me saying they are accepting the consequence of their actions as something that degrades their self worth. That part is their choice.

@whatsup is probably right about the idea of normalizing flags. If people understood internally, that is, that you don't die, that nothing changes, that your wife doesn't leave you, that your kids don't think less of you, because one comment or two have a (SHOW HIDDEN) button on them.

Then this whole debacle, this whole catastrophe will be as relevant as spilling your drink. It sucks, but you are going to be OK.