To do with trolls

[Amy68]

Hope this isn't too sensitive an issue, but regular posters here will have noticed an increase in the amount trolls visiting MN, or at least more accusations of trolling. Much as I despise internet trolls, I do wonder what the best approach is. I feel that to accuse people of trolling ( as often happens) is only giving them the attention they are looking for and perhaps ignoring is the best policy. Also these accusations can occur on posts where the poster is asking about issues they claim are troubling themselves, DC, OH or close friends, and if they are genuine it must be insensitive to accuse them of trolling. I wonder how many think how they would feel coming on stressed about some issue and shot down by those suspecting a troll.

Ideas anyone?

they have a troll policy

I think it depends on the sbject matter. not long ago there was a troll who had "lost" her fiance, needed brain surgery, and had a zillion other problems. it became fairly obvious that she was trolling, and posters were getting sucked in, offering help, PMing addresses/phone numbers and generally supporting the op. a few more seasoned posters tried "subtley" suggesting that people be more careful, then out and out accused her/him of trolling. they got rounded on, which was (imho) unfair.

trolls like this do a great deal of damage and can effect people profoundly (look at Hillllls and the effect it had on some fellow anorexics, and the CVQ palaver - the amount of time and effort that some posters put into helping her, and reliving their own ordeals, and SS nearly lost us some fabulous posters) in these instances its better to call troll (once you are pretty sure) and report. if one poster (cant remember who) hadnt hunted DM and subsequently found pictures, she would probably still be here.

then there are the ones who throw a lit match and watch it burn. they post contentious threads, then sit back and watch the fight. in these cases report and ignore.