Tackling Trolls
A simple, effective strategy for handling online hostiles
Since the advent of the first message boards on the internet, online trolls have been a problem.
If you’ve ever written anything published online, from social media posts to blogs to essays on online platforms such as Medium, you’ve probably been the targets of trolls and other harassing behavior.
Oh, and don’t be a Black person or member of a marginalized group who dares to write online — especially about topics concerning racism and social and economic justice. Our words attract trolls like bears to honey.
If you’ve struggled with engaging with your audience, including those who are hostile to you and your work, well, I’ve found a simple yet powerful strategy that is the most effective:
Block trolls and delete their comments with zero tolerance.
Many would argue for allowing such comments on your work to remain; fostering an online environment conducive to public discourse requires it.
I disagree.
Protecting your peace — and even your person, is paramount.
There’s a vast difference between someone disagreeing with you online versus cretins who argue in bad faith, while also being disrespectful, insulting, and…
