Why trolling is bad

Several people have been imprisoned in the UK for online harassment. In contrast to internet trolling, the internet has also become a great place for online community, support, and love.

It has brought people all over the world closer together and holds messages of hope and inspiration. All users of the internet have a choice.

It can be used as a platform to lift others or knock people down. A difference of opinion can be worded in kind and friendly ways and therefore open up healthy debates and great discussions, rather than online arguments, abuse and upset. People have the opportunity to support each other, and it is important for everyone to remember that there is a person sat behind a computer screen or mobile phone.

You can read more about how to protect yourself from internet trolls here:. Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Retrieved 24 March Indiana University Knowledge Base. The Trustees of Indiana University. BBC News. Retrieved 19 October As flawed as this logic is, sadly, too many people believe this. When you spot rude, offensive language in the comment sections of your website, what are you supposed to do?

Do you ignore the comments, leaving them posted for the world to see? Do you block the contributor if possible , preventing them from continuing to post inappropriate material on your site?

Or do you fire back at them, dishing back a taste of their own medicine? We want to advise you that there is another option…professional interaction. As awful as online trolling can be, there is actually a bright side to those offensive comments on your website. Have you ever been on a website where all of the reviews and comments seemed obviously staged? Most likely, they were. Her IP address has been blocked by Reddit before, hindering but not completely stopping her trolling adventures.

As someone who has been an online prankster since ye olde days, CHH is uniquely positioned to speculate as to whether the internet really is — as nostalgists bemoan — getting less fun.

So I think the internet has become really strict in some ways, but not always about the right things. On the other hand, CHH points out that 15 years ago, fewer people were online than today, and more voices with more varied perspectives equal more opportunities for humor.