I've been on Twitter for a number of years, and have followed the principle of only responding to critical comments where an interesting point or topic has been raised. If it's just abuse, or remarks as to my intelligence, parentage, or upbringing, I ignore them. I never block them because even critical or trolling posts may raise something worth discussing.
On Facebook, I only joined after Covid lockdown started here in the UK. I was persuaded to use a pseudonym (unlike my Twitter account), and I post my usual left wing and pro LGBTQ+ opinions quite freely. Confounding the advice I was given, I have never been trolled on Facebook , despite adopting Emma Goldman as my label. I have been asked on a number of occasions, whether that is my real name - I always make it clear I chose it, and usually tell them my actual name. Critical replies and ones of totally opposing views do turn up of course, but not much by way of abusive, threatening or downright uninformed posts. As I'm 74, a hardened trade unionist, and unaffected by opposition (unless well founded!), I don't feel upset at such responses. Freedom of thought is a human right, after all. Mind you, I was thoroughly educated, understand logical argument, and keep an open mind for new information/science.
I've never tried Reddit, as I doubt if I'm part of their intended demographic!
was on a few Yahoo email lists in the 90's and early 00's, most of the list members were decent people with an interest in the subject at hand, a few of which I'm still in touch with. There were a few people with mental health or social maladjustment issues who had an interest in being there, if misunderstandings came up we dealt with them and moved on with the individuals in question either leaving or staying, and there were a few email list trolls who were there to make trouble, who were usually unsubsubscibed and banned from the list. There were always a few people who were rather borderline and we couldn't tell whether they had ill intent or were just really grumpy.
I've been on Twitter for a number of years, and have followed the principle of only responding to critical comments where an interesting point or topic has been raised. If it's just abuse, or remarks as to my intelligence, parentage, or upbringing, I ignore them. I never block them because even critical or trolling posts may raise something worth discussing.
On Facebook, I only joined after Covid lockdown started here in the UK. I was persuaded to use a pseudonym (unlike my Twitter account), and I post my usual left wing and pro LGBTQ+ opinions quite freely. Confounding the advice I was given, I have never been trolled on Facebook , despite adopting Emma Goldman as my label. I have been asked on a number of occasions, whether that is my real name - I always make it clear I chose it, and usually tell them my actual name. Critical replies and ones of totally opposing views do turn up of course, but not much by way of abusive, threatening or downright uninformed posts. As I'm 74, a hardened trade unionist, and unaffected by opposition (unless well founded!), I don't feel upset at such responses. Freedom of thought is a human right, after all. Mind you, I was thoroughly educated, understand logical argument, and keep an open mind for new information/science.
I've never tried Reddit, as I doubt if I'm part of their intended demographic!
was on a few Yahoo email lists in the 90's and early 00's, most of the list members were decent people with an interest in the subject at hand, a few of which I'm still in touch with. There were a few people with mental health or social maladjustment issues who had an interest in being there, if misunderstandings came up we dealt with them and moved on with the individuals in question either leaving or staying, and there were a few email list trolls who were there to make trouble, who were usually unsubsubscibed and banned from the list. There were always a few people who were rather borderline and we couldn't tell whether they had ill intent or were just really grumpy.