THERE’S a quote I’ve always liked, but struggle to live by: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

It’s attributed to Voltaire and is a reminder of the importance of opinion and the right to free speech, but Voltaire never had to deal with internet message boards accusing him of ruining their childhoods by allowing English translations of his works.

Huddled and wrapped up safe in the anonymity provided by a user-name, the vitriol spews across the online landscape – often over the most trivial matters but in the most vile and aggressive way.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t voice their opinions. Our right to speak our minds, no matter how controversial or moronic others might consider them, is one of the best things about living in this country. How else would I get to write these columns?

If anything, it’s easier to work out what’s bothering you and ignore it, or at least think a bit more carefully about it before rushing to the keyboard to mock someone’s grammar, call them something terrible, or for celebrities to stir up a Twitterstorm.

PAPARAZZI MAKE MY LIFE HELL!!! – You should probably think about that before they pay for the exclusive on your next wedding, or stop telling them exactly where and when you’ll be out without make-up on.

THAT THING IN MY CITY WAS STUPID BECAUSE I DISAGREE WITH IT, AND EVERYONE INVOLVED SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND SACKED!!! – But there were half a dozen other things that were undoubted successes that you probably loved so maybe take a second and put things in perspective?

I’m not saying apathy is the best medicine, although I’m pretty sure I could sell a T-shirt with that slogan on it.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t get angry about things because our right to freedom of speech and opinion is important and worth celebrating.

In my first months as a reporter, I read the comments under stories I’d written amazed that people could react with such rage against what we considered fun stories. After a while, I realised that’s not how people react in real life, their opinions have been bolstered and perverted by the anonymity that comes when you hide behind an online handle.

But the anonymity of the internet can cause bigger problems than bickering about exactly why BEN AFFLECK CAN’T PLAY BATMAN, HE’S TERRIBLE!!! (For the record, he can, he’s not, and nobody’s forcing you to see the film so calm down).

This week, schools around York sent messages to parents warning them about an online chat site and app which has become popular among pupils.

It’s totally anonymous unless the chatters want to say more about themselves, and can be conducted through text or webcams. The website says it’s only for adults or over-13s with parents’ permission, but no registration is necessary. The selling point is that anyone with an understanding of computers anywhere in the world can go online and talk to complete strangers.

Obviously, this is just one of many sites offering this service, and I’m sure it was set up with the best intentions. But not everyone lurking in the shadowy corners of the web share those intentions, and they’ll use that anonymity to their advantage, potentially at the cost of others.

You may also have read this week that 11 people, including a 14-year-old, were arrested in North Yorkshire as part of a national swoop against online child abuse, which saw 660 doctors, teachers, scout leaders and former police officers arrested.

National Crime Agency Deputy Director General Phil Gormley said: “We want those offenders to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images, that they leave a digital footprint, and that law enforcement will find it.”

I’ve meandered to get to my point, which is the very least we should do is remember the internet is a tool, not a weapon, and the anonymity it provides is a privilege that we should respect, not abuse.