I’m so glad this CNA commentary came up. It says something about our voices.
This specific commentary discusses a viral incident involving online personality Kurt Tay, who was heckled while leaving court. People online were divided over the clip. Even when internet figures seem to “feed” their trolls, CNA argues that they still do not deserve to be treated cruelly, as highlighted in the piece “Nobody deserves to be trolled, even when they seem to be asking for it.” This raises an important question about the ethics of online discourse and digital behavior.
As we find our voices as Asians, we also need to think about taking responsibility for our voices. Rightfully pointed out by Jonathan Kuek, there is “a fine line between trolling and calling someone out.”
Language, Power, and the Weight of Our Voices
Existentialism challenges us to confront the responsibility inherent in our communication, especially concerning marginalised communities. It urges us to recognise the power dynamics at play in our words and interactions.
Language isn’t just a tool for expression but a means of either reinforcing oppressive structures or dismantling them.
When we engage in discourse, we are not just exchanging words but also shaping our shared reality.
Responsible communication, in an existential sense, acknowledges the weight of our words in creating meaning and influencing the world around us.
It is about recognising our agency in shaping conversations and relationships, and understanding that our words can either foster understanding, connection, and growth or sow discord, misunderstanding, and division.
Existential responsibility in communication invites us to engage thoughtfully, understanding that our words are not just isolated expressions but have a collective impact on the fabric of our interconnected existence.
Beyond Obvious Trolling: The Subtle Ways Harm Appears
It is easy to make a commentary on this because what the hecklers have done is obviously trolling. But what about the more subtle actions in our own lives?
This article reminds me of a speech by Dian Handayani at the National Conference 2023. She said,
“As therapists, we should ask ourselves how we could be oppressing our own clients unknowingly in our work.”
Taking this reflection deeper than just discussing trolls and the digital age, I would ask—how then are we, as family, friends, colleagues, and even just citizens, unknowingly oppressing others in our lives?
Not all harm in communication is loud or visible. Sometimes it appears in everyday language, in quick judgments, in jokes that flatten someone’s dignity, or in silence when something harmful is happening. These subtle forms of participation still shape the emotional and social environments we live in.
Online spaces amplify this even more. A single comment, share, or reaction may feel small in isolation, but together they contribute to a wider culture of either empathy or harm.
Towards Responsible Use of Our Voices in Digital Spaces
This CNA commentary invites a broader and deeper reflection on what responsible communication really means in the age of social media.
It is not only about avoiding obvious cruelty. It is also about becoming aware of how easily digital discourse can slip into dehumanization, even when it is framed as humor, criticism, or “just calling someone out.”
Responsible communication asks us to pause and examine our intent, our impact, and our participation in collective narratives. It also asks us to recognise that online discourse is never separate from real human consequences.
Because ultimately, every act of speech, whether online or offline, contributes to the kind of world we are building together.
And the question remains: are we using our voices to deepen understanding, or to make harm easier to justify?
About the Author
I am a BPS-accredited and SPS-accredited Counselling Psychologist with a Doctorate in Existential Psychology from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London, U.K. My care philosophy is not to diagnose, label, or categorise but rather to work with the individual in front of me in the here and now.
My clinical credentials certainly play a significant role in defining my professional identity. But to foster a deeper connection and authenticity, I invite you to discover my other “Selves”, the various facets of who I am.
