Thanks to the internet and social media people, specifically public officials, are more accessible than ever.

While that has its advantages, some feel it can also cause issues.  Senator Jake Chapman says they’re seeing a strong intensity of things people are saying online.

“People need to remember that you are still talking to a person.  When you’re behind a screen, and look I’m probably guilty of it too, we probably all are, of putting stuff out there that we normally wouldn’t say to someone, directly to their face.  But that sense of security when you’re behind a screen rather than in front of someone’s face does promote this feeling of maybe being more aggressive than we ought to be.”

Chapman says some of the things people are writing are inappropriate.  While he welcomes feedback,  either positive or negative, the Senator says there is a respectful way to do share your opinions and that’s not always happening.