Trolls have become an increasingly common problem on social media. The Australian Online Safety Office has produced a guide showing how to recognize such a person and what steps we can take.
Trolling has taken off on social networks PHOTO Archive
What is a troll
A troll is someone who posts comments online with the intention of “provoking” people, meaning they intentionally make comments that lead to an argument or an emotional reaction, according to esafety.gov.au.
In some cases, they say things they don’t believe, just to create drama. In other cases, they disagree with the views of another person or group online, so they try to discredit, humiliate, or punish them.
This behavior may include inciting hatred online, including through personal attacks targeting someone because of their race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Trolling can also encourage “herd” mentality, urging others to join the attack so that it becomes a build-up.
Posts anonymously
Trolls often post under a fake or anonymous name so they can say things without being held accountable. This can give them a sense of power and less caution than they would if they were talking to someone “in real life” or face to face. This makes it difficult to identify who left the comment or post.
Trolls also often try to downplay the impact of their behavior, claiming that anyone bothered by their posts is exaggerating. They may say it was just a joke or that the target needs to toughen up. This can make the trolled person feel even worse.
What to do if you are the victim of a troll
Australia’s Online Safety Office has published a guide with some steps a user can take if they become a victim of a troll.
Don’t feed such behavior
Resist the temptation to reply, you can’t reason with a troll. While it may be tempting, engaging in an online argument gives them exactly the reaction they want, so they are likely to escalate the attack.
Report and block
Online services and platforms have a responsibility to ensure that people can use them safely. If trolling starts to become harmful, collect evidence. This may include screenshots or recordings of abusive comments.
Then you can report and block the troll in the app.
Ask for help
If you feel bad about what’s happening to you online, make sure you talk about it with someone you trust. You can show a close friend or family member this information and ask them for help in deciding what to do if you are being trolled.
