Handling troll posts
Not every aggressive comment is an invitation to discuss. Learn how to deny trolls the stage they want.
What trolls want
Attention
Any reaction counts as success.
Emotional escalation
Anger, frustration, conflict.
Control
Provoking others to dominate the conversation.
When to respond — and when not
Respond if…
The tone is open, facts matter and the audience benefits.
Don’t respond if…
There are insults, threats, repetition or clear bad faith.
The safe order of actions
- Do not engage
- Mute or block
- Report if rules are violated
- Move on — no justification needed