WE don't need reminding that, for all its power for good, the internet has a darker underside: trolls, who can anonymously post vitriolic abuse and threats in the direction of those with whom they disagree, or those they merely happen to dislike. The distinguished classicist, Mary Beard, knows what this entails. The author Jon Ronson wrote a perceptive book about online shaming and was himself subjected to an online witch-hunt. Many women have been subjected to misogynistic abuse on social media.

Such outlets have also given an immense voice and power to the herd-mentality instinct. Comedian Al Murray earlier this year criticised the mob mentality on social media for attacking free speech, adding that people were "weaponising" their anger if they took offence at something in the public domain.

Now the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland has warned of this herd approach. Rev David Robertson targets atheist groups which, he says, seek to instil a new morality in Scottish schools - one in which, he alleges, dissent from secular humanism will not be tolerated; Scotland is becoming a "monochrome society" with no real freedom of speech because of the "mob mentality" of social media and ruling elites, which threatens anyone who opposes the "equality and diversity" agenda.

We have, fortunately, a long way to go before we become a monochrome society devoid of freedom of speech. But Mr Robertson's wider point is well taken. How do you counter the mob mentality? By mobilising fierce arguments of your own? Can, in fact, the power of the mob be overcome? The Moderator's own thoughts - “In Christ things are different. There is real and genuine diversity. Because we are in him we don’t have to be all the same" - have much to commend them, but it may take more than that to stand up to a mob in full online cry.