Thread by @chick_in_kiev

Inspired by a recent conversation, here are some things to ponder if you’re targeted by trolls:
1. There’s no wrong way to respond. Feeling bad doesn’t mean you’re weak. It’s natural and normal. It also doesn’t mean they’re right.

2. Meta-emotions (“I should...” or “I shouldn’t have...”) are rarely useful; they’re just fancy ways to self-blame. Trolls are drive-by sadists; they see you as surface area to create a wound.

3. The people who will tell you to “just log off” don’t really understand. Trolls rejoice in surrender. They love inflicting harm. And for those of us whose professions require public engagement, it’s not an option. This advice may be well-meaning, but it’s bad advice.

4. Take advantage of filters (found in Twitter’s settings) to minimize exposure. But it’s natural to want to look sometimes. It’s a combination of picking a scab, and the impulse to eavesdrop on gossip about you. It makes sense. Don’t self-blame. It’s OK to be hurt, too.

5. Harassment is absolutely worse on gendered and racial lines. For journalists, it’s a new form of workplace harassment; it’s the price we pay for having our work accessible to a broader audience. And it sucks.

6. Onslaughts of hate can feel like a tornado ripping the roof off your life. The scoffers who minimize it have generally never received it, or are participating in a culture of machismo that makes things worse for many people.

7. Please feel free to reach out to me if you’ve experienced or are experiencing this. Talialavin at protonmail dot com. I love you. You’ll get through this. The drive-by sadist rubberneckers are contemptible. Shine on.

8. It’s not a competition. Don’t compare yourself to others who are “braver” because a) it sucks for everyone and b) you don’t know their offline lives (or tears or panic etc). Again, self-blame. Your brain is trying to protect you from this happening again.

9. Trolling is often coordinated; that’s why it feels so overwhelming. Sometimes it’s driven by right-wing publications. Unfortunately, most employers lack the courage or intelligence to discern a bad faith attack, and they often succeed.

10. I won’t insult you with bromides like “just believe in yourself.” It’s ok to feel every flavor of bad. I will encourage you to seek mental health resources, eg suicide hotlines & trusted friends. Whatever makes $ sense. But don’t punish yourself by trying to endure it alone.