Trolls, Rumours or Facts? Who Knows At This Point

Pad Wives Assemble: The Impact of Social Media

Welcome back to Pad Wives Assemble, where we share the laughs, spill the tea, and dive into the topics that matter most to our community. This week, we’re tackling something that affects nearly everyone: the impact of social media. From the pressures of online life to the stigma military spouses face when creating content, we’re talking about it all.

The Stigma Around Military Spouses on Social Media

We see it all the time—spouses wanting to start social media pages, build businesses, or simply share their experiences, but they hesitate. Why? Because of the stigma and online trolling that comes with it. Unfortunately, a lot of this comes from serving personnel, but it’s not limited to them. Other spouses and strangers on the internet also have something to say.

People ask us all the time: “I want to start, but what do I do? I’m scared of the comments.” And honestly, we get it. We’ve experienced it firsthand. The minute you put yourself out there, the trolls come creeping in. The sad part? Some of the worst criticism comes from people who should be supporting us.

Online Trolls: Why Do They Do It?

We’ve all seen those ridiculous comments—the ones that pick apart someone’s appearance, life choices, or even their family. But why do people feel the need to leave hate comments?

One of the biggest things we’ve noticed is the double standard. We see people post “Be Kind” in their bios while simultaneously tearing others down in comment sections. The hypocrisy is unreal.

Let’s be honest—most of these trolls wouldn’t say a word to your face. It’s easy to hide behind a screen, type out some hate, and move on with your day. But words have power, and they do affect people, whether trolls admit it or not.

The Love-Hate Relationship with Social Media

Social media can be amazing—it connects us, builds communities, and provides opportunities we never thought possible. But it can also be toxic, making people second-guess themselves, their looks, and even their worth.

We talked about this on the pod: have you ever posted something and immediately thought, “Oh no, I’m going to get battered for this”? Because same. The fear of negative comments is real, and it stops so many from sharing their lives authentically.

The Military Spouse Perspective

Military spouses face extra scrutiny online. There’s already a stigma around “pad wives,” and anything we post seems to add fuel to the fire. Whether it’s about housing, deployment struggles, or just daily life, the judgment comes in fast.

We’ve seen military spouses get dragged in anonymous forums for simply posting about their experiences. And let’s not even start on the assumptions—“Oh, she’s cheating on her husband.” “Her husband’s definitely cheating on her.” It’s exhausting.

But here’s the thing: if you want to do social media, DO IT. Build your community. Share your journey. Your story is valid, and no one has the right to silence you with negativity.

Final Thoughts: The Choice to Keep Going

At the end of the day, haters will always hate. But if social media is something you love—whether it’s for fun, as a creative outlet, or even as a career—don’t 👏 let 👏 them 👏 win 👏. Block, delete, ignore, and keep doing your thing.

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