In a heartfelt plea to The Independent's agony aunt, a student fanzine editor has shared her distressing experience with relentless online trolling, highlighting the toxic environment many women face when expressing opinions on digital platforms. The editor, who runs a small but passionate music and film review zine, described being targeted by a group of men who unleash misogynistic abuse whenever she posts content they disagree with.
The Toll of Targeted Abuse
The abuse includes sexually derogatory slurs, personal attacks on her appearance and mental health, and even suggestions of self-harm. This harassment has left her losing sleep and contemplating giving up on her beloved project altogether. She expressed uncertainty over whether the trolling stems from a single individual using multiple profiles or a coordinated group, but the impact is undeniably severe, eroding her confidence and passion.
Victoria Richards' Empathetic Response
Victoria Richards, drawing on two decades of experience battling online trolls, offered both sympathy and practical advice. She emphasised that such abuse is often gender-based, citing a personal experiment where she and a male colleague swapped bylines on articles, resulting in her receiving targeted abuse under his name while he faced none under hers. This, she noted, provides conclusive evidence that the issue is rooted in misogyny rather than the content itself.
Richards described the trolling as wearing and exhausting, capable of causing depression and silencing voices. She reassured the editor that the vile comments reflect the trolls' own inadequacies and bullying tendencies, not her worth or abilities. Many of these individuals, she suggested, are likely cowards who hide behind screens, lacking the courage to confront women in real life due to isolation or deep-seated insecurities.
Strategies for Coping and Resilience
To combat the abuse, Richards recommended a blend of emotional resilience and practical measures. She advised cultivating compassion for the trolls, viewing them as sad, lonely figures with unfulfilling lives, rather than allowing their words to provoke fear or anger. On a more actionable level, she suggested:
- Blocking abusive users and disabling nasty comments on the zine.
- Setting up filters to automatically pre-moderate posts containing abusive language.
- Taking regular breaks from online activities and using tools like "brick" devices to limit app access.
- Enlisting friends or colleagues to help monitor comments temporarily.
- Reporting any threats to the police, as online harassment can have real-world consequences.
Most importantly, Richards stressed the value of simply not reading the comments, a tactic that renders the trolls' efforts futile and allows individuals to focus on their vibrant, fulfilling lives away from the screen. She encouraged the editor to continue her creative work, urging her not to let the trolls win and to remember that abuse is never justified, even in disagreements.
This column, part of The Independent's "Dear Vix" series, offers a platform for anonymous advice on love, work, family, and relationships, with submissions welcomed via email.
