When Simply Ignoring Won't Suffice
Running a website or social media outlet can be fun and rewarding but also means dealing with a bit of the uglier side of the World Wide Web. One of the worst is the so-called Twitter trolls who exist to offend and anger others and generally stir up trouble. And virtually every social media site has at least a few lurking and waiting to strike with venomous comments. Comment sections and message boards promote user interaction and can create a true community while generating positive public relations. But they can turn ugly quickly and cause people to never return, thereby creating a negative impact for the site and its owners due to the bad experience Internet trolls can create on message boards and in chat rooms.
Ignore Options and Suspending Privileges
In general, the best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them. But that isn't always feasible, particularly if one stoops to an incredibly low and highly offensive level involving anything from racism to open threats of violence. An ignore button is an effective way of enabling community members to create their own list of people whose comments are blocked and no longer viewable. That allows members to self-regulate and prevent disruptive arguments that otherwise might cause good members to stay away.
Suspension As A Last Resort
If ignore buttons and avoidance tactics don't stymie a Twitter troll or other offenders on other sites, then a temporary or permanent loss of posting privileges might be necessary. When site visitors refuse to abide by common sense terms of use and continually disrupt and offend other members, the offender should be warned that continued violations could result in a permanent loss of posting privileges or banishment from the site. Sometimes, permanent expulsion based on the IP address of the troll is the only effective way to restore peace and promote positive public relations by demonstrating permanent and effective consequences for the worst of Twitter trolls.
Clearly Define Terms of Use
The terms of use should clearly define types of violations and the punishments for refusing to abide by the terms, ultimately including suspension from the site. When people know a website or social media site has clearly defined terms of use and actually enforce them in a fair and judicious manner, they know they don't have to put up with Internet trolls and have a recourse for reporting violators to moderators and administrators.
Creating a terms of use for people to abide by when posting to a website and commiserating with community members in chat rooms and other means won't stop trolls from posting, but it will arm the site's owners with the moral authority to remove those who do not abide by the terms of use. Restricting posting privileges to people who affirm they have read and agree to the terms of use when posting to a site creates a literal contract and helps promote a positive user experience.
Running a website or social media outlet can be fun and rewarding but also means dealing with a bit of the uglier side of the World Wide Web. One of the worst is the so-called Twitter trolls who exist to offend and anger others and generally stir up trouble. And virtually every social media site has at least a few lurking and waiting to strike with venomous comments. Comment sections and message boards promote user interaction and can create a true community while generating positive public relations. But they can turn ugly quickly and cause people to never return, thereby creating a negative impact for the site and its owners due to the bad experience Internet trolls can create on message boards and in chat rooms.
Ignore Options and Suspending Privileges
In general, the best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them. But that isn't always feasible, particularly if one stoops to an incredibly low and highly offensive level involving anything from racism to open threats of violence. An ignore button is an effective way of enabling community members to create their own list of people whose comments are blocked and no longer viewable. That allows members to self-regulate and prevent disruptive arguments that otherwise might cause good members to stay away.
Suspension As A Last Resort
If ignore buttons and avoidance tactics don't stymie a Twitter troll or other offenders on other sites, then a temporary or permanent loss of posting privileges might be necessary. When site visitors refuse to abide by common sense terms of use and continually disrupt and offend other members, the offender should be warned that continued violations could result in a permanent loss of posting privileges or banishment from the site. Sometimes, permanent expulsion based on the IP address of the troll is the only effective way to restore peace and promote positive public relations by demonstrating permanent and effective consequences for the worst of Twitter trolls.
Clearly Define Terms of Use
The terms of use should clearly define types of violations and the punishments for refusing to abide by the terms, ultimately including suspension from the site. When people know a website or social media site has clearly defined terms of use and actually enforce them in a fair and judicious manner, they know they don't have to put up with Internet trolls and have a recourse for reporting violators to moderators and administrators.
Creating a terms of use for people to abide by when posting to a website and commiserating with community members in chat rooms and other means won't stop trolls from posting, but it will arm the site's owners with the moral authority to remove those who do not abide by the terms of use. Restricting posting privileges to people who affirm they have read and agree to the terms of use when posting to a site creates a literal contract and helps promote a positive user experience.