A quick note on how to handle twitter trolls.

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A couple of months ago, I interviewed Janet Street Porter for Tombola. One of the questions I posed was…

You’re no stranger to controversy, particularly on social media networks such as Twitter. Can you give some tips on how you handle the Twitter trolls? 

In which she replied: Ignore them! Don’t block them, just mute them. Don’t get drawn into a conversation with them.

And you know what? It’s really as simple as that.

As time goes by, it becomes easier and easier to ignore such things. Trolls are kind of like unruly teenagers. The more attention they get, the more likely they are to seek it. Ignore them and they quickly lose steam. Clearly, twitter trolls don’t get the attention they crave at home or at work so they take to the internet to seek it.

So ignore them. Use your energies in more positive ways and remember that Steve Jobs quote…

“By the way, what have you done that’s so great? Do you create anything, or just criticize other’s work and belittle their motivations?”

If you’d like to read more about my interview with Janet Street Porter head to Tombola.

Author: Rachael

I'm a journalist and creative consultant. I write about how busy women (just like you) can live, work and eat - better.

17 thoughts on “A quick note on how to handle twitter trolls.”

  1. I’ve been lucky (touch wood) that I’ve not had Twitter Trolls as of yet, but I know they can be annoying little f**kers. I remember when I was younger and has issues on Bebo mum would always tell me to just ignore them but sometimes it can be really hard

  2. It’s easier said than done to just ignore. But if we van, it absolutely is the best way to deal with it x

    1. It is easier said than done. I think its actually a skill. I used to be really bothered if someone said something mean on twitter about my blog or a tweet but now, I let it said on over me 😀

  3. Thankfully I have not had any serious trolls….Eek! Now I’ve said it….
    The one’s I have had I have bitten back….Wrong I know but they have backed down. I know I should ignore 🙂

  4. Thankfully being really new I haven’t had to deal with trolls yet but I will definately be keeping this advice in mind for when they strike!!

  5. I hate trolls. I have never been trolled on Twitter but I know others that have. These people do not think about how they are affecting others. Great tip about the mute button.

  6. I’m quite lucky that I haven’t really suffered any Twitter trolling. I’ve seen some indirect things that were obviously about me but if people wan to waste their time, I just let them. Not wasting my time on them anymore!

  7. It’s so true – don’t feed the trolls! If you don’t respond they’ll get bored and move on to someone else (who will hopefully ignore them too!). 🙂

  8. Love it! But it’s often so much easier said than done. I tried really hard to not to get drawn into a social media “castigation” as a guest post I’d publish last month mentioned the word “killer” in the title. Someone declared it was insensitive as there was a shooting in the US. I’m still trying hard not to type “there’s always a shooting. Stop having a go at me, sort your gun control out”. Darn, and now I’ve said it. JSP has great restraint, kudos to her.

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