As society begins to utilize different social media platforms to put out different forms of our lives, we continue to learn how quickly things can escalate in negative directions. Controversy is inevitable on the internet, and celebrities aren’t anymore safe from it than us regular folk are.

Over the weekend, NBA great Shaquille O’Neal was the center of some brief twitter beef after continued criticism of the Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee. Shaq’s segment on TNT, Shaqtin’ A Fool, is known for highlighting the goofy plays and embarrassing moments from the league each week. For the last few years, JaVale McGee has been a “star” on the show for his mishaps on the court. Many think Shaq took things a bit too far after he continued with tweets poking fun and threatening McGee.

America meet Javale "BUM" McGee pic.twitter.com/ENw4VLE5I7

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) February 24, 2017

In the end, Mama O’Neal had to step in. According to The Undefeated, Shaq said, “I have orders from the top to leave it alone,” with regards to a phone call that he received from his mother.

We’ve seen a number of athletes take to social media to hash out problems they may have with one another, with a few happening over the last few weeks. But is this the smartest route to take in an age where anything you say can spread quickly and be a screenshot?

Did Shaq take things too far this time? Let us know what you think below and check out more on the twitter beef at Sports Illustrated.