Online Trolls and Gaslighters: A Guide to Protecting Your Voice

Online manipulation refers to using psychological tactics and mind games to influence or control others on social media. It can take many forms and ways, such as trolling and gaslighting, it usually aims to suppress or silence opposing opinions.

I had recently posted my opinion online which triggered a few trolls and gaslighters and I took it as a chance to study their ways. You do not have to do the same, as I will list everything that I learned from this experience, but only for you to use it wisely.

Methods of online manipulation:

- Triggering your emotions

This can be done by using provocative language, personal attacks, and accusations. They want you to be afraid. They want you to be weak. They want you to run and hide from being who you are in order to be safe from them.

-Gaslighting

Gaslighting is when the perpetrator tries to make someone doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and memories. It can be challenging to recognize it, especially online, but if you find yourself questioning your beliefs or opinions after interacting with someone, it could be a sign of gaslighting.

-Burner accounts:

Manipulators use burner accounts, so when you see few comments saying almost the same thing, as if they are automated, it could be a good sign that it is one person using many accounts.Their aim is to make you feel alone and surrounded.

-Trolling

Trolling refers to deliberately harassing someone online for the sake of amusement. Trolls use derogatory language and insults. they are the online version of middle-school bully.

How to deal with online manipulation?

-Stand your ground

Do not let anyone silence your opinion. It can be intimidating to have your thoughts and beliefs challenged, but you have the right to express yourself freely. Do not let anyone make you feel small or unworthy because of your opinions. Trust your instincts and not let anyone manipulate your thoughts. Know yourself and do not let anything shake your roots.

-See their weakness

No matter how much they want to seem scary and strong, online manipulators are weak, even if they start attacking or threatening you. It is an attempt to hide their fear and weakness. Fear of seeing different opinions, and weakness based on not fully trusting what they represent. Once you show them that you are not afraid, they will flee. In my experience, they were afraid to the point many of them deleted their comments.

-Be clear:

Let them know that their actions are unacceptable and that you will not tolerate being gaslighted.

-Blocking:

Manipulators thrive on attention, you can take away their power by simply blocking them, especially when you are sure of their intentions.

What do online manipulators have in common:

-They deny the reality and validity of someone's experiences or opinions. They may use phrases like 'you're overreacting' to discredit the other person's thoughts and feelings.

-They play the victim and accuse the target of being rude when faced with clear boundaries.

-They try to dominate the conversation by constantly interrupting and talking over the other person.

-They use the same point over and over again, talking to them might feel like running in circles.

-They do not admit they are wrong, one of the people who were in my comments was not a gasligher and when this person took the time and think, ended up apologizing, which is very mature.

-They act superior in order to make others feel small, unseen, and undeard.

Differentiating between genuine conversations and trolling:

-Trust your instincts, if you feel like someone's only aim is to discredit your thoughts or experiences, then do not doubt yourself.

-Genuine conversation involves a willingness to listen and understand. On the other hand, trolls have no intention of having a productive conversation and are only looking for a fight.

-Trolls often use aggression and insults to attack and discredit others. In contrast, people engaging in genuine conversations are respectful and open-minded.

-Gaslighters use mind games to discredit others and making you feel like you are in a mental circus.