Perhaps it is just another form of violence. Instead of trying to inflict physical pain, people try to inflict emotional pain. In many ways it can be more damaging, the signs can be less obvious.

I would suggest this causes greater polarisation and less tolerance. This leads to less reasoned discussion to understand perspectives and work out differences. Which leads to more polarisation... etc.

What's wrong with shooting for less violent and less mean?

The timescale, basically. It's only 2016. There's no telling where we'll be in 20,016.