Dealing with trolls....

In_Search_Of_Me

From posts in the last few days it's apparent that people have been quite upset by comments made and I thought it would be a good idea to get a better understanding so have been doing some research on the topic. Thought I'd share some info with you so that those who have been affected can, like me, get a bit more informed & hopefully feel able to just not respond....hope these links help!

A brief troll history...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

What to do with a troll?
http://www.!!!!!!.com/space/usenet/

Finally a little thought from me....for what its worth! Analysing the posts from recent trolls one common thread becomes apparent (in my professional opinion); trolls I suspect do alot of "transferring" of their own feelings onto other people. For example saying that you/we/us are "stupid", inferring that they are superior. Often what they are doing is putting on to you what they actually feel themselves.
Remember that we dont know who a troll, or anyone else for that matter, actually is. While they may be saying that they live in a mansion & drive a sports car I suspect its more likely that they are sat in a bedsit with greasy hair & wearing a filthy string vest! After all, we are skint so are limited as to what we can do financially and spend alot of time on the internet watching lsitings, posting etc. Why, if you were so happy, popular & loaded, would you be sitting on the internet all days posting insulting posts to vulnerable people? I dont know about you but I actually feel quite sorry for people who can only get kicks out of being rude, insulting & upsetting. It really is pathetic isnt it?
By "feeding the troll" (responding to posts) you give them power but by simply ignoring them and not getting into comment you reduce this and they will eventually get bored and go away to bug another user group. Think of the playground bully - when you stand up to them they stop. It is only by allowing them to bully you that you allow them to win & continue.
Finally, remember that the vast majority of pepople on here are supportive and friendly! While we may not always agree with each other (& I certainly have no problem with this - nothing like a healthy discussion & differing opinion!) we are in most cases here for support (even if that means some tough love at times!) & encouragement in the hell that is debt! So dont let the trolls get you down, keep posting & if you are struggling pm someone for support...the troll will never know!

In_Search_Of_Me

ps mods please dont move this as I intended it for my fellow DFW's!!

SarahNeedle1872

This is brill fishface.... when I first saw the links, I thought they were gonna be about dealing with mystical trolls (no I don't know why either ) I didn't realise that someone had written about how to deal with Forums trolls!
I know it says tha best thing to do is to ignore them.... that can be quite hard sometimes tho!

Thanks for the info, it's great.....

Sarah x

In_Search_Of_Me

Yes I agree its hard to ignore them, especially when they make very personal & insulting comments but definately the best way to go in my book!

postingalwaysposting

i have had my fair share of trolls, my worst was on a different forum where they were sending me abusive/very personal bullying emails... i ignored them, then confronted them then left... you do see quite a few on here but give this site praise they dont last long the same with the sellers/spammers. I must say though everyone on this site is much more mature in dealing with things like this and this is what makes me stay

ScorpioLady_2

Thank you fishface for your wise words.

I need MSE and will try not to be put off.

millionaire_in_training

here here fish-face. I can't understand why people would want to be nasty in any way to people on here. Ignore and they will get fed up

COOKIEWILLOW

Totally agree, although as you know i was angry and replied to a certain troll over last two days!! very hard though to ignore but i think you are right. if we keep picking at the scab it will never go away, bes tleft alone to disappear

ZTD

Well I would suggest the first post in this thread gets put in with SS's "First Time Posters" thread.

We can build up a little "knowledgebase" as it were...

poppyjay

thank you fish face i agree with everything your saying

eatmyfish

COOKIEWILLOW wrote: »

Totally agree, although as you know i was angry and replied to a certain troll over last two days!! very hard though to ignore but i think you are right. if we keep picking at the scab it will never go away, bes tleft alone to disappear

Boo hoo! Whys start a thread about trolls if you don't want them fed?I'm not a troll I simply have a different viewpoint you want to suppress because you are in denial...Many people here are, then they whine because the advice they sometimes receive isn't what they want to hear!You are also very childish, no wonder the loan companies saw you coming!