To me it seems simpler. Up to 50 years ago you could not have a conversation with more than say 10 people maximum. Most people don't have the patience to only speak 1/10 of the time. More than that it would be one or two addressing a group.

The internet has made possible conversations with unlimited participants, and no one has to wait to get their own point across.

The horribleness in people was always there. It just didn't spread like measles.