90% of this could’ve just been avoided if instigation from both sides wasn’t a thing. And then once new said user is banned or whatever after a crazed witch-hunt from the almighty gatekeepers of the community, they try to fit in and either

A. Try to develop mannerisms similar to the people who harassed them ( I.e. insulting newer users/being edgy because it’s the “cool” thing to do and was done to them, or kissing up to users who fought with them to seek validation and approval) or

B. Continue to be ridiculed and eventually blacklisted from the site because they are just too young/immature or prone to anger and argument and therefore get picked on really easily and develop a toxic mentality because of that.

Honestly I would just… leave new users alone and let them do their thing. Of course if they go outright to be negative or annoying (hate speech and such) then something should be done, but not by the community, by moderators.

Moderation system shouldn’t be a baptizing of hate by the community and back and forth arguments/threads until it becomes severe enough that posts are flagged and Ralph has to interfere and ban a party involved. It should really be “hey @moderator this guy is being a dick for no reason, can you tell him to stop”