Are most people silent in online public forums because they don't want to be criticized or offend?

The public forums of the Internet such as Facebook and Twitter increase our ability to communicate and share information with our neighbors. This increases our productivity and fosters collaboration that was impossible previously.  However, these communication forums come with challenges and one of those challenges is silence of the people.  In contrast to the negative aspect we attribute to this communication because it seems to enhance our willingness to be rude to one another, it also inhibits many from contributing at all because when writing in a public forum it is difficult to convey our true message.  When I write, I am unable to express my thoughts and feelings using body language, or use the intonation in my voice.  I am also unable to immediately observe a listeners reaction to what I am trying to say and adjust my words, body language, and intonation on the fly.  Finally, without meeting face to face and in person people seem less inclined to attempt to get along with the others in their presence.  Therefore, many people choose not to contribute to the public discussion because they don't want to anger others and be attacked by them when their message is misunderstood. 

I am not one of the majority that usually remains silent.  This is not because I hold strong opinions of which I am eager to defend.  It is because I believe some things need to be discussed and I am willing to make the attempt to hold a civil discussion even when I know I may be criticized.  Today I wrote a short post in a small community facebook group.  I need not need to make the post; it is not my responsibility to provide clarity to the issue; but I am willing to share what I truly believe and if I am wrong I am willing to be corrected.  I don't think most people do the same.  I think most people simply avoid a sensitive issue because we don’t want to build a wall between ourselves and our neighbors; and the best way may be to say nothing rather than to risk offense.

It was not easy to write that facebook post, even though the topic is very mild and not particularly sensitive.  But I desired to express myself accurately and without offense which required writing the ten line post, then reviewing it to correct grammar, spelling, and remove as much content as possible.  Also emoticons really help to try to convey that I want to be friendly and not hostile.