The issue I have with downvotes is not how they are intended to be used but how they actually are being used. Malicious intent or not, many wish to simply stay away from the related drama... the other aspect is the rabbit hole people go down when looking into the situation at hand say they stumble into one of the many posts out there.... creates a situation to which many are rudely awakened to deep rooted issues linked to human behaviour!
We may get the majority of people to accept and use them correctly but no matter what happens the stain of bad actors will persist .... I know as I was one in real life and not till actively choosing to be a better human being did I recognize it despite being told so!