Make sure saddo trolls do no harm
MANY lives are being turned into a living hell by constant online abuse.
Nasty net trolls have preyed on people such as a reader in London called Mary – by persistently harassing her from an anonymous Twitter account. Her friends on social media were targeted too.
For John, from Oxford, the two years of damaging lies on Twitter and Facebook were not only personally hurtful but were targeted at his large development firm and his customers.
If these stories sound familiar here’s what you need to know: WHAT IS A TROLL?
The term describes a person who deliberately starts internet rows to provoke an individual or group into a reaction. It can be done because they genuinely want a healthy debate or because the troll simply enjoys winding people up. WHAT’S ACCEPTABLE?
Only honest, true comments posted with good intentions. WHAT’S NOT ACCEPTABLE?
Comments that are deliberately cruel, racist, homophobic, sexist or incite hatred or violence on a person or entity.
Remarks to cause damage to reputation or a business, unless they are factually correct, in context and in the public interest.
Creating a hashtag to encourage an online harassment campaign, or pushing for others to re-tweet instances of a “grossly offensive message”.
Putting an individual’s home address or bank details on the net.
Baiting – when someone is humiliated online by being branded sexually promiscuous.
Posting “disturbing or sinister” doctored images of someone on a social media site. HOW TO STOP A TROLL
Internet trolling is a criminal offence. The law is on your side if you fall victim to a troll. If you do, you can take the following steps: Block them on social media. Select mute option on Twitter in relation to the troll’s account. Never respond. Report the troll to the likes of Twitter and Facebook.
Collate screen shots of all the comments, call 101 and report the matter to the police.
The police and Crown Prosecution Service are taking trolling more seriously and have issued guidelines. This can clearly be seen from the increased number of prosecutions of these pests.