Internet Trolls - There is always one...

INTERNET TROLL

1. In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, , or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response

We all have seen it. We all have experienced it. This post most certainly will attract it. How can we STOP it?

I have been on Patch since 2011. I was thrilled to find out about a local website showing just our news, hearing and interacting with the community, seeing what is up-and-coming in the cities around me, and just to be informed all together. Mostly, kind of, it has been a pleasant experience.

I have personally had moments of just throwing my hands up and not coming to Patch for awhile when things start to get rampid. Seeing the various users vanish over time confirms I am not the only one. That time seems to be upon us, yet again.

I know it is difficult, if not nearly impossible, for Patch to permanently ban someone. But maybe there is something that us Patch readers can do...

- Why don't we report each constant, repetitive nonsense troll comment that have absolutely nothing to do with the post it is being commented on that we see? The link is right there, just click it. 

- Simply report the user. Click on their name and there is a report user link on the page. Maybe getting enough of those, something will be done

- If you post a blog/story and the comments start up there, delete them.

- If a troll keeps editing their blog/post to constantly bump it to the top (daily occurrence on Patch, multiple times/day) edit yours to bump over it.

- Don't respond to them. At all. If they don't get the attention they clearly are begging for, they will starve to death and go away. Nothing you can say will 'help' them. Nothing you can say will 'get through' to them. Just look the other way.

MAYBE if we try some of the above options, we can take our site back :) Do you have any additional suggestions that maybe we can consider? Post them!! I adore Patch and I love the community that could be possible with Patch. It is such a huge resource that we have, don't let it get abused and manipulated.

My two cents :)