Open Discussion: Trolling + Cool Video!

That was definitely an amazing video! I think it opens up another view to the problem, their side. I'm going to tie this to an experience I had myself a while ago (I know we have a rule not to speak of religion, but if this does violate you can edit it out/delete). I went to a Christian rock concert a few months ago this year, and before the concert started we were all lined up at the door, and it was super packed (the line was crowded, and it was more like a mab of people because it had tons. Of our hours upon hours of waiting to enter, there was an Athiest activist group over a loudspeaker telling us things against the religion (you can probably guess what they said and all). A lot of people were offended, but we got used to it since it will be going on and on and there were no signs of them stopping. I remember my youth leader told us to not only ignore them (don't be a bystander), and give them a hug instead since they don't understand. The same can go along here. When I see a rule breaker, I assure the others they may not understand, and we have no idea what can actually be going on inside their head. I hear a lot of Members complain that the Mods are never like that, and a bit rude at times. I hope through that video and my experiences, we can realize everyone deserves equal respect :)

I'm glad I got the opportunity to see the video. I was a part of an online community many years ago that actually had moderators that acted as guardians of the group. Trolls were kept out and members who were abusive were disciplined. Unfortunately, my general experience has been much different. There is no real accountability online, and there are individuals that take delight in being viciously contrary. They are hard to ignore. My practice is to never respond to them and I have actually left groups and not returned because of them. While I was watching the video the thought occurred to me that there are trolls enough in real life too, not just online.

-Dave

I wanted to share an experience I went through during the early stages of me becoming a mod. There was a troll here that edited a 1/1 chat conversation we had to made it look like I was bullying and harassing them. Trolling is a very hurtful thing but I honestly feel bad for the people doing it in a way cause they choose to spend their lives doing that? Like we could be out making the world a more beautiful place and they are busy trolling random innocent strangers on the internet. It makes me very sad.

➢ What are your initial reactions to the video?

- I felt a dark presense at first, and I felt a better understanding that trolling behaviours have an underlying cause just as any other "Label" does.

➢ How would you define a "troll"?

- Someone who is going through an experience that they are trying to cover up with their emotionals coming out to others in the negative behaviour. Ex, spamming, harassing another community member, and disrupting chat in group support.

➢ Why do you think some people behave in a hurtful way?

- I personally think that people use trolling as a coping method more than a hobby. Some call it a form of art, some call it a hobby, regardless, there is always time to take to talk to them about the "why" behind the actions.

➢ How have you personally been affected by trolling?

- I have been attacked by trolling behaviours before, it was a hard experience to go through.

➢ What have you learned from your experience?

- Giving the person trolling you an ear or offer to refer them to someone who can has helped me in the past, validation is everything and key in understanding why!!

➢ Did you learn anything from the video?

- I have learned more in depth that, not everyone acts or copes the same way as others, some choose this way to behave because it's the only thing that works for them.

➢ If you could share one tip with other site users on how to deal with this type of behaviour, what would it be?

- As said above, I would offer help, wanting to get better is always the first thing I think of when it comes to correcting any behaviour I see needed, and that is key in my opinion.

➢ What are your initial reactions to the video?

I cried. I never cry. But just thinking about all the people who died because they found haters before they found help, the trolls who cheered on rape.. very powerful.

➢ How would you define a "troll"?

Someone who says controversial or upsetting things just for a reaction.

➢ Why do you think some people behave in a hurtful way?

There are people who, as the video says, stuck with themselves and want us to be stuck with them too. They think making others look or feel bad makes their feelings and appearance seem less bad by comparison.

Others to be fair, are just psychopathic.

➢ How have you personally been affected by trolling?

I've cut. I've blamed myself for being abused. I've considered suicide.

➢ What have you learned from your experience?

To be careful that my words don't hurt others online because they are people who could be hurt by me just like I've been hurt online.

➢ Did you learn anything from the video?

That while I feel sorry for certain people who troll, nothing excuses their actions.

➢ If you could share one tip with other site users on how to deal with this type of behaviour, what would it be?

REPORT. Ignoring is important but reporting is the only way to make accounts and ip addresses get blocked.

I've found this personal account to be really interesting:

https://www.traynorseye.com/

Touching video.

I have to say this was a very interesting video. It actually hit home in more ways then one. Thank you for sharing it. :)

@Heather

I loved the video! I learned that there are a lot of people affected by trolls, and that I shouldn't take it personally. In my experience on 7 Cups, I have come to consider a troll to be someone who preys on my caring and desire to help. I have had a couple of people who were so hate-filled that they took whatever I said personally, as if I was telling them they were wrong - when all I was telling them is that things could change. They ended the conversations, and it felt bad to me. But my worst ones, the ones that REALLY got to me, were the ones who were acting hurt, acting like they wanted help, stringing me along until I REALLY cared, and then trying to turn it into a sex chat, a role play, or looking for personal contact information. Then, I start to feel used, and dirty, and angry - and distrustful to the point of not wanting to listen to anyone. I have learned to get out of the chat sooner - if I am not sure of the motivation behind someone's words, then I will try to find another listener (a male, in the case of the member being a guy, which is my main problem). Or I will just block the person, as I had to do with one chat that was clearly treating 7 Cups as a porn site. My one tip for listeners running into these situations is to try to get out of them early, first warning the member that the conversation is making you uncomfortable and putting self-care FIRST!

This video was amazing! Thank you for sharing!!