How to Deal with Internet Trolls on Your Blog and Video Posts

If you, like most people, have ever been the target of some internet trolling, you’re in the right place. In case you don’t know already, an Internet troll is any person who finds satisfaction in posting negative, useless, off-topic, often abusive, and all-around pointlessly mean comments under your blogs or professional videos. They do this just for kicks and, if not dealt with correctly, may turn into relentless harassment. Even though these actions are childish and immature, their impact can really sting and is often cited as the primary why people are afraid to be more active online. Luckily, dealing with Internet trolls is pretty straight-forward.

The following four steps will help you maintain your sanity the next time you find yourself dealing with Internet trolls on your video channels and blogs!

Block/Hide/Delete

Depending on which website you’re on and whether or not you control this website or blog, you can either block, hide or delete his comments; any one of these things is usually effective. Most social media platforms and video hosting websites will allow you to block users from seeing or commenting on your blogs and videos, or at the least hide or delete comments. But do not let your guard down! This can prove to be a temporary solution for some persistent trolls, who might just come back under a different username, or even from a different IP in case you thought of blocking that.

Report or Ban Them

If you have your own website, or are using a social media website like Facebook, you have the option of reporting users or having them banned as well. Depending on the extent of the harassment and nature of comments, it can also be reported to the authorities.

Power to the Mods

Many websites have moderators, and you can appoint some for your own blog or website as well. Choose these carefully and keep them motivated to deal with trolls effectively. Also give them enough power and freedom to flag, delete, and hide comments and keep discussions on topic.

Don’t Feed the Troll

The most effective way, and usually a more permanent way to deal with true internet trolls, is to ignore them. These people get off on making others feel angry, hurt, miserable, and offended and once you show them they have achieved this purpose, they will keep at it.

A good way to make it clear that you’re ignoring them is to reply to the person who commented above them while making it seem like their comment doesn’t exist, and subsequently deleting any comments made in reply to their comment. This will enrage them, and after trying a few times, they will take their business elsewhere. If you control the website, you can also make it so no one but them sees their comment.

How do you handle dealing with Internet trolls? Do you have any scary or funny stories to share? Leave them in the comments below!

L. Scott Harrell

L. Scott Harrell is the Executive Editor of Vtrep.com. He is also a serial entrepreneur and top tier business development professional who speaks leadership, startups and digital media masterfully. Scott can be reached via email: editor@vtrep.com



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