Yes, the problem is with any medium is seems, is that the higher the number of people involved the more toxic something is. (Have you seen Twitter or YouTube comments?) Chess.com is the most popular chess site so it's naturally more toxic than elsewhere.
I haven't seen this posted much anywhere else but I think it needs to be noted:
I've been playing chess for about a year and a half. Starting at like a 700 rating and I'd say I'm around 1250 now and still climbing
(this account is new, so its around 1175)
However, this entire time over all my accounts, every time I attempt to jump into the forums and start some fun chess discussion with others I am immediately shown why chess gatekeeping is such a meme.
The amount of sheer toxicity in these forums rivals any other game I've ever played online. People use their rating like some kind of social credit system, interjecting every opportunity they get to flaunt it.
Beginners and intermediates can barely ask questions without being attacked for their skill or mistakes. As far as I'm concerned this is the absolute worst community I've ever seen and I wish it wasn't because I love chess.