Social media has come a long way. With the good has come some

In the words of Alex Morgan, a champion of her generation and a voice of courage, we hear a truth forged in the modern fires of the digital age: “Social media has come a long way. With the good has come some bad, and you always have a lot of people hiding behind their computers and being very critical of what you do on and off the field, of what you tweet, of what you say, of everything you do.” Though these words belong to the age of screens and instant messages, they carry the same weight as the wisdom of the ancients — a reminder that every tool of great power brings both light and shadow, and that fame, whether in the arena or the heart of the crowd, is a double-edged sword.

The ancients once gathered in public forums — the Agora of Athens, the Colosseum of Rome — to debate, to cheer, to condemn. There, too, voices rose in praise or in scorn, and reputations were built or destroyed by the will of the people. Today, the arena has changed. It no longer lies beneath the sun, but within the glowing screens that illuminate the night. Social media, that vast and shifting sea of thought, has become the new forum of humanity. It binds us across oceans, brings the world to our hands, and yet, it also unleashes the hidden storms of envy, cruelty, and pride. What was once whispered in secret now echoes before millions.

Alex Morgan, a warrior of the field and bearer of many victories, has stood beneath this new storm. Her words speak not merely of sport, but of the soul’s endurance in an age of judgment. For every triumph she earns, there are unseen eyes that look not with admiration but with resentment. These are the voices that hide behind the screen, their courage false, their arrows sharp with words. They are the modern shadows — figures who strike from darkness, unburdened by the weight of consequence. Yet Morgan does not fall silent. She reminds us that even in this world of unguarded criticism, one must stand firm, rooted in purpose, anchored by truth.

Consider the tale of Socrates, the great philosopher of Athens, who long before the age of networks faced the same trial of public judgment. He was a man of questions, seeking truth beyond comfort, yet for his honesty he was scorned, mocked, and condemned by his peers. The crowd, fearful of what they could not understand, turned against him. And though they silenced his voice with poison, his wisdom outlived them all. In every age, there are those who fear authenticity and seek to destroy it with words. The spirit of Socrates and Alex Morgan both teach us this: the courage to remain oneself in the face of ridicule is the highest form of strength.

We must learn, then, to walk wisely in the kingdom of social media. Let us use its light — to connect, to learn, to lift one another — but let us not be consumed by its shadow. For every blessing it brings, there comes a test of the heart. Do not measure your worth by the approval of unseen strangers, nor let your peace be shattered by their noise. Remember that the world often mistakes volume for truth, and cruelty for strength. Yet real strength is silent, steady, and compassionate — it endures, it does not react.

In the presence of online criticism, do not descend into bitterness, but rise in understanding. The ones who hide behind their words are often those who suffer within themselves. To answer their hatred with hatred is to feed the fire; to meet it with dignity is to quench it. As the sage once said, “Do not wrestle with the pig, for both of you will be covered in mud, but only one will enjoy it.” Hold your peace. Let your actions, your integrity, your quiet perseverance be your defense.

The lesson of Alex Morgan’s words is both modern and eternal: every voice that rises against you is a chance to master your spirit. The world will always judge — it has done so since the dawn of speech — but only you can choose whether to bend beneath it or rise above. Therefore, be steadfast in who you are. Speak truth, create beauty, do good — not for the crowd, but for the soul that knows its own worth.

And when the whispers come, when the screens light up with judgment and scorn, remember: you are not defined by their words. You are defined by the strength it takes to continue shining, to continue creating, to continue walking your path in a world that often forgets its own light. Use the tools of the age with wisdom, temper the heart with patience, and let your voice — like Alex Morgan’s — be one that inspires rather than condemns. For the day will come when the noise fades, but your character will remain, unshaken, eternal.