Online Nastiness (Absolutely No Hibs.net Content)

[Phil D. Rolls]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/169572/Mccann-troll-Brenda-Leyland-driven-to-suicide-after-twitter-death-threats

During the referendum I posted on a few unmoderated sites. Now, I'm no shrinking violet, and an usually give as good as I get. Some of the stuff that was coming back was beyond the pail.

There were remarks about my sexual preferences as well as innuendos about my family. Having been used to the moderation on here, I was quite taken aback by the nastiness of the remarks. I also found it a bit worrying that people could get their kicks by such twisted remarks.

Whats other people's experiences of trolling; why do you think they do it; are they to be scorned or pitied.

[Scouse Hibee]

The irony that a troll may have been driven to suicide by other trolls tells you all you need to know about the damaging effect abuse on the internet can cause.

[Hibrandenburg]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/169572/Mccann-troll-Brenda-Leyland-driven-to-suicide-after-twitter-death-hithreats

During the referendum I posted on a few unmoderated sites. Now, I'm no shrinking violet, and an usually give as good as I get. Some of the stuff that was coming back was beyond the pail.

There were remarks about my sexual preferences as well as innuendos about my family. Having been used to the moderation on here, I was quite taken aback by the nastiness of the remarks. I also found it a bit worrying that people could get their kicks by such twisted remarks.

Whats other people's experiences of trolling; why do you think they do it; are they to be scorned or pitied.

The independence debate was a bit of an eye opener for me. I post on several internet sites where people gather from various units I'd belonged to during my time in the military and Scots are about 13% of the membership. After I made it clear that I was for independence the abuse became surreal and it was from guys I know who would never have said anything like what they did to my face. It would appear that the internet not only gives some people the chance to be anonymous and unleash their underlying personality but it also lures some into showing their alter-egos.

I'd probably admit to being guilty of this to a certain extent too. In real life I normally engage my mouth before my brain but on here I have the advantage of being able to re-read my words before hitting send.

[Jones28]

I posted something referendum on a story on Facebook and within minutes I had people giving me abuse about my job, my girlfriend and my likes and dislikes. There are no boundaries on the internet.

[Stranraer]

I've never been the victim of internet trolling myself but I remember watching a Richard Bacon BBC documentary on it that made me sick to my stomach.

I think it was after that young school boy had been killed by a Polar Bear and trolls began to do their thing. Obviously I won't go into too much detail but there were comments like "one less Tory" and to be honest I think trolls are generally sad individuals with nothing better to do than feed off the grief of others.

[Stranraer]

I posted something referendum on a story on Facebook and within minutes I had people giving me abuse about my job, my girlfriend and my likes and dislikes. There are no boundaries on the internet.

This too. The referendum was a fine example. I stayed off Twitter during the referendum but was spat at while campaigning for a Yes vote. That was real and the fella who had his buddy's care draped in a Union Jack wouldn't have done it had he been walking down the street and met me.

Trolls are cowards.