Those Anonymous Web Trolls and Commentators!

Earl S. Wynn 4 months ago

I can definitely identify with this hub, my friend! The internet seems to be full of haters and I've definitely received my fair share of their bile as well! Anonymity is a powerful tool, one that should be kept for use in situations that matter (like personal privacy) and not squandered by silly people with no purpose in life but to make other people miserable.

Anywho, keep up the good work!

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thanks, Earl! Glad that you can relate to what is here. I certainly do agree with you about the use of anonymity to be used for personal privacy, but not to be wasted by those haters. Thanks for reading and sharing!

R9139 4 months ago

The internet, anonymity and the protection of a computer screen will bring out the worst in many people. I often see these kind of comments on news articles, often aimed at causing distress. Even more so on YouTube, great hub.

Cardisa 4 months ago

Hello Dale, Welcome to Hubpages.

You raise a very valid point here. It does happen here on HP but the good thing is that you can do something about it. You may flag the person's profile so that HP staff can do something about it. Yes, most of the haters here also has no profile so we just have to keep the site friendly by weeding out such hatred.

In case you don't know how to flag a profile you may scroll through my hubs, there is one there on how to flag inappropriate content.

Earl S. Wynn 4 months ago

Anytime, Dale! Keep up the good writing and I hope you enjoy your stay with us here on Hubpages! :)

St.Cyprian 4 months ago

I've flagged the profile of a misogynistic creep talking about violent sex-related acts in one of his hubs for the last 24-hours here at HubPages, but it hasn't done any good, so far.

I have three accounts and I'm getting ready to pull them because this is the second time I've been badly triggered (it makes a person physically ill) by this kind of thing.

Back in the old days, there were moderators for feedback type sites like forums. (The forums here are a nightmare, by the way because there is zero moderation - I have no idea what is standing between them and a lawsuit!) There were actual people moderating their own sites and it wasn't perfect, but you didn't have the pro-rape, pro-pedo, race haters and xenophobes posting all kinds of inflammatory things.

It's either the narcissistic sociopaths or me! I'm probably going to pull all my accounts... I can't take it, anymore. It's actually pretty rare, but it's still too often for me. This whole problem has escalated all over the web right alongside the real world violence! It's time to put a foot down and call them out!

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

A nice and wonderful suprise when I logged in moments ago and see the comments. I love feedback!

@R9139 I agree that such things as described, bring out the worst in people. Maybe is has some "theraputic" value to the individual at our expense. You mentioned YouTube. I have ran into it on several of my videos there, and you are absolutely correct!

Thank you for visiting the hub, reading and commenting!

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

@Cardisa Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I have yet to visit your hubs, but will do so soon! I have not run into it here on HP so far, and hope I don't. As for flagging, I do hubhop and have used the flagging tool, so I am getting familiar with it.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

@Earl Thanks so much for the warm welcome!

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

@St.Cyprian First of all, thank you for reading and sharing your experiences here with me and others.

I am new to HP and have not run into the issues that you mention as of yet, to the extreme that you mention. I have ran into a few questionable hubs but have not flagged any for content yet, other than those with three or more links to the same page within the hub.

I am unaware of the lack of moderation here on HP, as so far, I have not ran into the need of one that I can recall, and one has not contacted me for any violations or correction on my behalf.

As for the forums, I have visited some posts there and have seen moderators responding, but have not delved into many forums postings. I do like the idea that we are able to help with questions raised.

Escalating all over the web? Absolutely correct on that you are! Everywhere I go, it is rampant. I have had to employee the use of captchas on several of my sites including the requirement that you must be logged in as a member to post a comment, due to the issues you have raised as well as what I have mentioned.

St.Cyprian 4 months ago

Dale,

Don't let me discourage you. Overall, it's a good community. But, I'm a violent crime survivor and I have to be careful - can't even read the comments at the mainstream news sites, especially over subjects like Sandusky and any kind of sex abuse.

I've been on the internet since the 1980s and used to post in forums a lot, but things have gotten so bad! I can't even read some of the stuff. Men are allowed to say all kinds of things about what they want to do or have done to women and no one removes the posts. I left the DavidIcke forum because of all the pedophiles last year - I just couldn't take it! A few other posters noticed the problem and I'm sure the mods did, but nobody would take any action against them. It used to not be acceptable to talk about how wonderful it is to lure and rape children... apparently, this is normal now.

It is really disturbing to survivors. So, for my own mental and physical health, I've pulled everything and I imagine they'll eventually delete my account.

But, I'll miss the nice people here and there are a lot of them. I just can't take being physically ill and unable to sleep because of some guy's post about how women have it too good and ought to have thus and thus done to them. Why is this all right?

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thank you St.Cyprian for the additional insight. I did not take your previous comment as any type of discouragement, but as insightful and a sharing.

dappledesigns 4 months ago

Thank you for sharing - this is a hub that I'm sure a lot of people can relate. I like to call these cases a result of "cyber muscles" - a lot like prank calls on the phone and social media bullying. Things people wouldn't do without the computer protecting them.

The good news is that there is a full blown effort to standardize the web and make it a platform geared for all users. The internet is still in its "terrible twos" if you want to put it in human years... but once it evolves a little more and "grows up" I think you will find that a lot of this garbage will begin to go away. Just in the last two years I have seen a noticeable change in the content quality and search methods. This alone will begin to sift out the poor content that is not quality, and eventually bury them completely.

Working with the web on a daily basis, I can confidently tell you that there are more users that care and aim to create a friendly environment than fools that hide their profiles and talk negatively behind a fake name.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thank you for reading and sharing, dappledesigns! As a person, much like you, I am working on the web daily and I would agree with you 100% that the good outweigh the bad. Filters used on some sites are really good at blocking certain key phrases and words, and that is a tool I use on several of my sites to help control those who are out of control. I appreciate your insight!

precison writing 4 months ago

Yeah, I think as moderators of our articles that is something we all have had to deal with.

You call it karma, I call it "reaping what you sew," other's say "what comes around goes around." The point is, is that people don't get that what you do will come back to haunt (or help) you eventually. People need to realize that.

People tend to look at themselves as being so great when they need to look inward at their own issues and problems.

I don't agree with homosexuality but it doesn't mean that I'm going to make slurs or insulting remarks about it. It doesn't mean I can't be friends with them. I just don't see what others get out of doing that.

-Mark

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thank you Mark. I read things that I don't agree with or support, and rather than commenting negatively, I simply move on. I feel that if you can not offer something positive and/or constructive, then say nothing. Insulting remarks have no gain for anyone, the poster of such or those who read it.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Sorry for responding first Mark, then realizing I did not approve your comment. I have tried to set my settings so I did not have to approve comments for signed in members, but it is not working for some reason.

precison writing 4 months ago

Eh it happens. And it's nice to know that you approve the comments before they come on here. I'm all for free speech but I have seen stuff get way out of hand on forums before.

The problem is, is that eventually the discussion especially with something that is filled with slurs gets way far off topic and isn't enjoyable anymore. No one is talking about the subject original subject and is no longer any fun.

Another example of this is cyber bullying. The perpetrators may be known or not; but none the less I'm finding that children can be cruel to each other, and it's amazing that parents let this stuff happen.

Anyway it was another awesome article keep up the good work my friend.

-Mark

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thanks Mark for your additional input. Appreciated as always! I am one open to other's insight always! Moderation is a key factor in any community. I have stumbled across some things, since my being here for going on five days, and wonder how it is allowed to stand. I do know that you can not "flag" in the forums... or not that I have seen.

Cyber bullying is yet another topic. I agree that it is dangerous for sure and a very impacting thing that is taking place on various levels. May do a hub on that now that my "old" brain has been stimulated once again. :)

Website Examiner 4 months ago

My compliments on your research and a vivid description of your experiences. I agree, some people would probably be better off avoiding the Internet altogether. It is my impression that there are many people with mental health issues who thrive online, through phobias and it all. There are certainly places on the Internet where I'd rather not go. Welcome to HubPages.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Hello Website Examiner! Thank you for stopping by, reading and of course commenting. I had not really considered those who may have mental health issues, but you bring up a valid point there. Thank you for the HubPages welcome!

Janeal Mulaney 4 months ago

Great Hub, hate is everywhere, exspecially on the web. You would think that humans would learn what goes around comes around. If everyone treated other the way they would like to be treated hate would soon disappear. Love and respect would rein every where.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Hello Janeal! I totally agree that love and respect should rein every where! Thanks for reading and commenting!

bruzzbuzz 4 months ago

I find people who spew hatred and misinformation on the Internet while staying unknown to be cowards. Great thought provoking hub.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thank you, Bruzzbuzz! I like your choice in description, "cowards", and I fully agree! Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting!

Aunt Mollie 4 months ago

Bullies have always existed. Cyberspace just provides a new venue and allows bullies to post anonymously. The motive, as always, is just to hurt someone. Bullies find a perverse enjoyment in this.

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Hello aunt Mollie! I certainly agree that the motivation that these folks have is related to some kind of enjoyment they receive from doing what they do. Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting.

Seeker7 4 months ago

Well said sir! An excellent hub!

I think these kinds of people are those who are lonely even in a crowded room. They are empty - hollow shells - and yes, they do fear everything, but they also have deep self hatred.

This fear and self-loathing is projected out onto society. Any person, culture or belief that seems different to this souless person, subconciously becomes their shadow personified and in hating others, they are actually hating themselves.

The internet is a safe haven for many like this. On the whole they can pretend to be who they are not, they can hate and torment others without too much risk of being identified - this is the mark of a coward and one who has nothing in their life but negativity. They give out so much negativity in fact that this is all that comes back into their lives. And so this never ending cyle of darkness continues.

I guess maybe the right thing to do would be to pity them. But when I read the abuse they throw at others and how they try their damndest to tarnish others work, I have to admit to feeling my heart turning cold on them! LOL! So I guess my karma is probably not in a much better state than theirs and I've a long way to go, before I've progressed to a stage where I can genuinely forgive and try to understand these poor excuses for a human being.

Great hub and very well stated! Voted up!

Dale Hyde 4 months ago

Thanks Seeker7, for dropping by, reading and sharing in comment. I appreciate the details and the sharing and fully agree with you. Very interesting about the karma we may be generating by lacking in the area of forgiveness. I had not thought along those lines, but it is a valid thought, and now I will be thinking along those lines! Thanks for the insight!

hoteltravel 3 months ago

Sadly, this is the dark side of internet. It has opened up possibilities and brought the whole world closer. I am clueless how to put a full stop to this. The other day I had a chance to go through some forum posts here and was surprised at the amount of venom. After that I just avoid them. Otherwise, Hubpages is a superb site with a very supportive community, especially for new writers.

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello hoteltravel! I certainly agree with you. I see no way to stop this from happening. I love the internet and would hate to not have it, that is for sure. We just have to take the bad with the good, no doubts, and move forward.

ripplemaker 3 months ago

I get a few of those and I now delete and ignore them.

Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination. To all who would like to read and vote and support the Hubnuggets, this way please: http://enellelamb.hubpages.com/hub/HubNugget-Myste

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello, ripplemaker! Great to see you. I, like you, delete and ignore. :) Just in from work, and I was not aware of the nomination! Thanks, and I will check it out in a few.

CZCZCZ 3 months ago

This is an important topic, but in the end I think there is more value and good in the ability to have anonymity online versus having to be identified at all times. For many reasons it can be very important to remain anonymous, despite that this allows people like the ones you mention who abuse the ability and just are out to push there own hate filled agenda. While they may be able to use the web to shout from the mountain top, in the end most internet users are relatively savvy and just ignore this as background noise and just part of the internet. I just let the hate slide off and don't acknowledge it. Internet trolls get off on the 1 in 50 people that try and have a discussion / argument with them.

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello CZCZCZ! Thanks for the insight and perspective on this. Well stated and most true. :)

crochet48 3 months ago

Well-timed hub. I have been a freelance writer for over three years and have come in for more than my share of hatred at the hands of more than one troll.

They're afraid of my ability to write and think, it seems to me. I'll admit, it used to bother me, but, as someone above me just described it, it's only so much background noise.

I can't or won't let them ruin my work days or business. Then they win.

Thank you!

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello Crochet48! Most true about not letting them win for sure! It is just like a mosquito however, still a pesky little thing, but a reality for sure. Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting.

Arlene V. Poma 3 months ago

Thank you for this Hub. I can't say I've had any hatred aimed at me, but you never know. I'm old school journalism, and online is not my cup of tea because you don't really know who you're dealing with. People can get bold when they don't have to look you straight in the eye. That is, if they even have the courage to do so. For one thing, confrontation doesn't bother me at all, but when a person hides behind a pen name and a computer, I can't really address them as a REAL person. To me, they don't exist. So unless I'm dealing with a REAL name with the feel that I am dealing with a REAL person, I move on. It's not worth it when some rude individual rattles your cage because you've allowed them to. I would much rather put the energy into my writing. I do believe in karma. And if anything is much too hard to take, I give it to God. I refuse to take on negative behavior from these cruel, insensitive individuals.

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello Arlene. I am a firm believer in karma as well. With that thought in mind it is much easier to "move on" as you mention and just go forward. I appreciate you stopping by, reading and sharing in comment.

Arlene V. Poma 3 months ago

A great read, Dale! Forgive me for last night's Senior Moment. Voted up and everything else.

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Lol, what senior moment, Arlene? You left a wonderful and insightful comment that I appreciated. :) Thanks for voting up and everything else. :) No worries...umm... I am 55 and have moments...are these senior in nature? :)

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Sorry for forgetting to approve several of the comments that I responded to. Not sure if others can view them or not. I have set my preferences to not have to approve the comments, but it always makes me approve them. I can see them and respond, but at times I fail to click approve.

PaulGoodman67 3 months ago

Interesting read. You have to be pretty thick-skinned to be on the web, there is ugliness at times for sure, and the anonymity that some abusive people hide behind can make it doubly frustrating.

Anti-Valentine 3 months ago

Sometimes I've actually had the displeasure (or pleasure, depending on how you look at it) of seeing some people for what they look like in real life. And then I have a good laugh and forget all about their little trolling transgressions. That's why it's a bad idea to troll on Facebook. Just so you know.

Dale Hyde 3 months ago

Hello, Anti-Valentine, and thanks for stopping by and sharing. :)