" Why People Troll & How To Stop Them " !
Why Do People Troll ?
Can we prevent Trolling or limit the damage Trolls do ?
Here are some thoughts on Trollology derived from academic studies and web research.
Identifying Trolls Trolls divert online discussions into non-productive, off-topic venues.
They pose as part of a community only to disrupt it.
Trolling is anti-social behavior.
Some of the techniques Trolls use to accomplish their objectives are: Pithy put-downs Name-calling and insults Ad hominem attacks that try to negate an opinion by alleging negatives about the person supporting it Impugning other's motives Emotional rants Bullying and harassment Completely off-topic posts Posting inaccurate, " Facts."
The traditional definition of Trolling includes intent.
That is, Trolls purposely disrupt forums.
This definition is too narrow.
Whether someone intends to disrupt a thread or not, the results are the same if they do.
So, in brief...
BE CALM - Don't rise to their antagonising attitude.
DON'T LOWER YOURSELF TO THEIR LEVEL - Don't start throwing insults at them.
It's what they want.
PAY A COMPLIMENT - It is the last thing they are expecting - and the opposite of what they want.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN - Let them know they have valid points, and make their faults seem like yours.
But, above all else, USE YOUR KILLFILE - It is there for a reason, and it is your most powerful weapon.
Love Ya, ~Barbara
Can we prevent Trolling or limit the damage Trolls do ?
Here are some thoughts on Trollology derived from academic studies and web research.
Identifying Trolls Trolls divert online discussions into non-productive, off-topic venues.
They pose as part of a community only to disrupt it.
Trolling is anti-social behavior.
Some of the techniques Trolls use to accomplish their objectives are: Pithy put-downs Name-calling and insults Ad hominem attacks that try to negate an opinion by alleging negatives about the person supporting it Impugning other's motives Emotional rants Bullying and harassment Completely off-topic posts Posting inaccurate, " Facts."
The traditional definition of Trolling includes intent.
That is, Trolls purposely disrupt forums.
This definition is too narrow.
Whether someone intends to disrupt a thread or not, the results are the same if they do.
So, in brief...
BE CALM - Don't rise to their antagonising attitude.
DON'T LOWER YOURSELF TO THEIR LEVEL - Don't start throwing insults at them.
It's what they want.
PAY A COMPLIMENT - It is the last thing they are expecting - and the opposite of what they want.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN - Let them know they have valid points, and make their faults seem like yours.
But, above all else, USE YOUR KILLFILE - It is there for a reason, and it is your most powerful weapon.
Love Ya, ~Barbara
Replies
Excellent post... I choose IGNORE THEM! They are not worth our time! Eventually they will get tired of talking only to themselves and go away.. Hopefully!
Agree with Rach, excellent journal Barb...Why should they take up our time.. We are all very capable of spotting these trolls, so as long as we are aware.. lets stay strong together and focused on what we come to ds for..Love you Barb XXXXXXX
very good points. i would add that they are attention-seeking and try to re-direct posts to themselves as well as contact folks individually to form alliances. there are very tell-tell signs. i never make friends with anyone i haven\'t seen post enough to have a sense of them or who get overly friendly immediately.
***We are here to support each other awesome journal*my status says it all*We stay strong together*Luv u***
We\'re a bunch a strong ladies, we wouldn\'t stoop to their level. I choose to ignore them and I never accept a friend that I haven\'t seen around a while, and have something in common with. I use the ignore button as well.
I totally agree with you ladies. If we all continue to stay alert and Ignore questionable requests or posts the \'troll\' or \'trolls\' will get tired of playing by themselves and go away. But then again I think they are talking and responding to themselves now...so who knows!
I sometimes wonder if by using more than one id, they have whole conversations with just themselves. There is a huge difference between someone talking about a problem, and someone just having a \"pity party\". I think these people get bored if no one responds to them. I am definitely becoming more careful on here.
I\'m a little confused. Can you pm me, Barbara, and enlighten me, please
Simple zoo rule: Never. Feed. The. Trolls. :)
I ignore them and if on here I just delete them. They will not rob me of my peace. Love, Frieda
I Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.
Love, Frieda
I don\'t know why people do weird things.
Love, Angela
Thanks Barbara for this excellent journal about this, it seems like they like coming in here. There seems to be some people that go around and want people to feel sorry for them. Best thing to do is get to know the person first before becoming their friend. Please be careful of this nasty trolls, we will not let them win.
Gosh this is good Barbara, we certainly need this info now. Cyberspace can be scary and challenging every so often, most people are honest and wonderful, but the trolls, make it tough sometimes to trust others. What a shame. Sweetness can destroy a trolls aim quicker than most anything. So any trolls out there? Purrrrrr!!!! :-))
Great post Barb and alot of great replies. Like Bahama said, I DO think alot of times the TROLLS have multiple accounts and do talk to themselves to stir up even MORE TROUBLE in the forums when members see the \' fighting\'.. it\'s just ridiculous
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!
I also think it\'s important that we keep each other informed with PM heads ups when/if we are suspicious. Not attacking someone or calling them a troll, but if we have VALID suspicions based on past behavior we have seen, because alot of the trolls come back, as alot of you know.
Love ya Barb!