There are so many people online without anything better to do than get in each others business. It’s sad. A lot of times, this ends up in huge blow ups. I’ve had to experience this level of trolling, and while it took some time, I decided to stop it.
A lot of people feel like they have to explain themselves to others. The thing is, you don’t owe anyone anything online, especially if they don’t personally know you. They are strangers. It doesn’t matter if they follow you, and have followed you online for years. It doesn’t matter that you’re Facebook friends with them for a few months or a few years, you owe them NOTHING.
For all you know, they don’t have 2 legs to stand on when they want to be argumentative. Maybe they’re hypocrites, with a love for arguing for argument’s sake? Who knows, but you do have a choice.
They best choice is:
DON’T FEED THE TROLLS!
Don’t reply to their response. In fact, if it’s on your page or on a thread that you can control, remove their comment. Don’t give them that power over you. In fact, go further by either removing them or blocking them.
There’s so much content being shared online, both positive and negative. It’s so easy to get caught up in a vicious cycle of toxic behavior. The challenge, is to be positive, and cut out what is toxic to you. Social networking was suppose to be a form of entertainment, not a breeding ground of angst and anger.
However, with some people, it’s become a hobby for them to pick on others and start fights. It’s a form of entertainment. So… if that entertainment can’t be had, from them starting shit with you, then they will go elsewhere. It’s simple logic.
Now, if you’ve blocked them, and they come back with sock puppet accounts, or alternate profiles, you should report them for harassment. Make sure to document it, and not give into engaging with them. And if they get to the level of threatening you, consider reporting them to the proper authorities.
Have you encountered trolls on social media? What did you do?