So I think there are two things here. First I agree somewhat though I think that there's a difference between good natured shit talking and being a jerk. I feel like as a kid people still could be mean but tonally it was more jovial, now I feel like I run into more miserable assholes (which I think is much worse). Secondly it still wasn't fun for everyone back in the day, especially if you were different people would try to bully you. I never had an issue but I know a lot of people who have never used public voice chat because they don't want to be harassed.