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The Walking Dead’s Josh McDermitt talks social media departure

By Sarabeth Pollock

HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 23: Actor Josh McDermitt attends AMC presents 'Talking Dead Live' for the premiere of 'The Walking Dead' at Hollywood Forever on October 23, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for AMC)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 23: Actor Josh McDermitt attends AMC presents 'Talking Dead Live' for the premiere of 'The Walking Dead' at Hollywood Forever on October 23, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for AMC) /
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The Walking Dead’s Josh McDermitt left social media prior to the season 7 finale. He shares some insight into what led him to make that decision.

Actions have consequences, and so it was when The Walking Dead actor Josh McDermitt started getting death threats on social media, he shut down all of his accounts. The action was swift, done without comment, and fans were left throwing their support to McDermitt while condemning anyone who would attack the actor for things his character is doing on a show. McDermitt has remained mum on the subject, but he recently shared some insight on the decision.

Comicbook.com published a comment from McDermitt on his withdrawal from social media:

"“I’m not really going to get into that too much. I just know that the internet is just kind of a dark and negative place, which just kind of breeds that mentality and those sorts of thoughts. I think that if people go left unchecked, there’s no consequence for what they say on the internet. It’s just unfortunate so, you know, it is what it is. Unfortunately, nothing’s being done about it at this point. Oh well.”"

McDermitt’s comments reflect the tendency for internet trolls to spew their hateful language and messages with no consequences. His decision to leave social media was a self imposed consequence for the actions of others. His comment skewers internet trolls and highlights the fact that there is absolutely no policing of their hateful and offensive language. Opinions on story arcs are one thing, death threats against actors based upon the characters they play is something altogether different.

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Here’s to hoping that McDermitt’s decision can highlight this problem and help contribute toward a solution for what’s happening.

The Walking Dead returns in October 2017.