Trolling the trolls! How to handle them well :)
Internet and social media made our life better. More platforms are coming up to help people talk, code, have fun, learn and grow. With all the positivity out there, Internet is dark.
When you think of dark in terms of Internet, mind goes to Hackers, Frauds but they don’t target normal people like us. The worst of Internet is trolls. It take them 10 seconds to comment but end up creating a bigger impact on the person who they are trying to troll.
These are the learning from the incident I and a friend of mine faced, I will not be bringing the topic to what happened but we got stuck in a position where thousands of people online lashed out on us for something they are not aware of.
Mistakes I made and I hope you don’t:
Dont feed the trolls. People get carried, I also got and in order to stop the trolls, I responded back. I know its hard to stop yourself to say something when you know you are right, but thats one core thing thats going to stop them
There are two scenarios when you are stuck between trolls (First one is the worst)
First is, when someone/a group has a personal grudge against you, they somewhat know you, they did their research before hand and knows your weak points. They know who are the people around you.
Tackling them is hard. First you have to find who exactly it is, Once you have a clue, involve their friends and family. Cross boundaries, don’t hesitate and get friends and family involded. If they work, get their colleagues involved. It will not stop the trolls but the one who is feeding the trolls will be in control. People behave well when they are around the people who know then as they are also in the same society.
Only talk to your close friends and family and take long breaks from Internet. Do not reply to anyone who sends you links to what other’s are saying. They feel they are trying to help you but that just adds more flames to your fire.
Never talk to the core person yourself. If it would have solved by talking, this would have never happened. They will use all these chats against you. Dont panic. Just wait for the right time and things to slow down.
Stay away from social media. If the trollers are winning you cannot win. They will mold whatever you say against you only. Posting on your social media just adds more eye balls. If its something you feel is very necessary to do. Take suggestions/advices from people you trust and then take actions if you feel they are really necessary.
Never think this as a war! Never go to Reddit, Twitter or any platforms where people create anonymous profiles and have no credibility. People are worst when they have nothing to lose, when their real identity is safe. They just want to have fun, pass on judgements. For me people got super innovative and said things which I cant even imagine 😂😂😂
I for sure had a good laugh at this one! Honestly don't take these as insults but look at the innovative replies they come up with. It would be better if you don’t read them but in case you are reading take them light.
You don’t have to and you should not reply and try to prove yourself right. Even if its hurting you take time. Take advice but that does not mean you accept this or if you are silent that will not mean you are guilty.
This is really important. Don't feel you are losing. I will repeat, Don't take this as a war or a game where you are losing. Think of this is as a problem where you can win by taking things slow, its a strategy where you leave them alone, they will get bored and move on. Don’t feel people are going to judge you, let them think. Let them have assumptions. With time you can and will prove your worth. Anyone who really understands you will see the bright side.
Second when you said or did something and it catches fire. Some random folks are targeting you. Use social media smartly. Block them as soon as you can. Dont overthink. Once they have no way to reach you and they can’t see your reaction, they will jump to some other person.
Report them to social media so they have to create one more account. When this happens multiple times, people get tired and they behave.
In a span of a week or two, it will be over and everything will be the way it was.
Effects of being stuck with trolls generally is you start to feel bad, you stay upset and will end up overthinking to what perception others will have of yours. The only way out to this is to talk to parents, people who care for you and close friends! Try to stay positive and spend time on things you love doing. Take a small break from routine life.
Don’t become shy. Don’t stop being yourself just because this instance happened. Don’t lose yourself. Think of this as a bad incident and move on from this! It can be really depressing and you will feel whats the point of making progress. Pass on those thoughts as much as you can and look at the brighter side!
Repeating it again : Things you should do is:
Take a break from internet, Don’t reply to people and to the thread where they are trolling you. Don’t read what people are saying.
Spend time figuring out the people who are behind this and get people close to them involved. They will get back in their senses.
Don’t take it on your head. Its a phase and will pass. Hold on to your nerves and don’t do anything stupid, even if you feel this is the right thing to do ask for advice. Talk it out and stay as much happy as you can.
This is my personal set of advices. I personally feel these small things would have worked better for me in the past but I had good learnings. Wrapping this up by saying “You can only troll the trolls by not trolling them at all”
If you feel it make sense, do clap. Share if this will make sense for others 😄
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