Media
Starving trolls is key to internet harmony
Ignoring internet “trolls” (HERE) is the best way to deter people who surf the internet picking fights and abusing people on discussion forums, says an expert.
ABC News Online this week scrapped its ‘Open for Comment’ panel in a bid to deter trolls, who constantly start arguments and hurl abuse at other participants.
The move has been criticised by some people, as has ABC policy to moderate comments before posting them to the site.
The role of moderator is to act as a filter to keep debate civil, constructive and on topic. But some feel it is a form of censorship.
“If you start trying to decide what’s worthy of being posted then the comments section will be nothing but an extension of the moderator’s ego and opinion (as it is now). Vibrant debate and content worth reading will only thrive under a low censorship policy,” said ABC commenter, Az.
But others agree with the idea of moderation.
“I find a lack of civility predominates and on occasions it becomes quite abusive … My concerns are not about an inability to handle ‘robust debate’ or the ’emotional nature of things’. It is the deliberate attempts to belittle other people,” said News Online reader, Annie.
Dr Jason Wilson, lecturer in digital communications at Wollongong University, says many people like to hide behind the mask of anonymity on the internet.
“It allows you to say things you may not say face-to-face or under your own name because you don’t have to take responsibility for those comments,” he said.
Reformed troll ‘Mozart’s Ghost’ says many people get into trolling for the “thrill” of it.