A new UK survey says that social networks are responsible for our need to exact revenge on our enemies.

Of 2,000 people across the UK surveyed, 69 percent believe that Twitter and Facebook make it easier for the average Joe to settle a score with their frenemies.

And they’re acting on their impulses, too: 52 percent of those surveyed say they’re thinking about taking revenge on a target right now, and 38 percent say they’ve already gone after someone online for sweet, sweet revenge.

Co-workers are the most targeted people when it comes to online vengeance, followed by friends (sad, but true), and bosses.

One in ten of those surveyed believe that people in the public spotlight actually deserve berating and shaming on social networks if they’re caught doing something wrong, and one in five think that revenge is an acceptable part of modern society.

And younger people are more reactive to angry tweets and status updates, with over 25 percent of those between the age of 18 and 24 admitting that they have gotten revenge on someone just because they posted an embarrassing picture of them on a social network.

Of course, it’s no real surprise that Twitter and Facebook make it easier for people to get revenge on others. Using a computer or a smartphone to embarrass someone or argue with them is easier than doing it face-to-face. Twitter and Facebook are ways to get the instant gratification of telling someone off without the consequences of doing it in person.

Have you ever used Twitter to get back at someone? Let us know your online revenge story in the comments below.

(Hat tip: Mail Online; Revenge image via Shutterstock)