online trolls

Online trolls affect victims’ mental health and tips to combat them

It’s hard to imagine life without the internet. But while the online world provides many benefits, one of its biggest drawbacks is trolls: the army of keyboard cowards who sit behind their desks and fire off hate, usually under fake names, who can cause their victims physical and psychological harm. It’s no wonder high-profile people and celebrities have been known to pull the plug on their social media accounts in response.

Trolling is a malicious form of cyberbullying that can severely impact the mental health of its victims, sometimes contributing to anxiety, depression, or even leading to tragic cases of suicide. Taking proactive measures, such as refraining from engaging with trolls, blocking their accounts on social media platforms, and seeking comfort and assistance from trusted real-life social support networks, can be effective strategies for managing and mitigating the harmful effects of trolling.

In 2017, British singer Ed Sheeran quit Twitter citing overwhelming abuse from online trolls, while Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown deleted her account in 2018 after becoming the subject of a homophobic meme.

At the weekend, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were abandoning social media due to the amount of “hate” they received. According to media reports, the couple are “very unlikely” to return to social media platforms.

Now how do we deal with them? Dr. Zaidi shared some tips in this article.

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