flamers, bashers and trolls

Please could the moderators look at strategies to prevent this site being invaded by trolls/flamers.

I fear this site may be vulnerable simply because it may be difficult to distinguish someone with real issues (owing to the nature of ASD and associated conditions) from people coming on because this discussion group might provide entertainment.

Flamers tend to post something provocative, or respond to existing dialogue in a provocative way. This is sometimes referred to as "flamebait". We need guidance how best to avoid "taking the bait" - that is responding in such a way that the flamer gets his "kicks" (adrenalin rush) from escalating and escalating an argument.

Most web discussion groups have this problem, and particularly chat room where the exchanges are more spontaneous. I feel the time has come when the moderators need to provide guidance.

We are likely to get several flamers watching the turmoil each other creates, and sometimes working together. However we may also get single flamers having multiple profile names.

It is relatively easy to find a script on this website or another website addressing autism, and create a little personal story. They may have a different story for each profile name, each with the potential to cause a stir. They will look for people who react easily and are entertaining, and they may develop names/scripts to suit their targets.

Sadly there are people who get their fun as trolls/flamers. I suspect rather than being poor socialisers or bored kids, they are most likely to get an addiction for doing it. Starting a row generates a high, and they then want more and more highs. Flamers coming on here will be going on numbers of web site discussion boards and chat rooms.

It is unfortunate but I think we now need to be prepared for this happening.

Parents

Scorpion0x17 over 13 years ago

Just to illustrate my point a little clearer, longman (and please note that is just an example, and that I do not actually think this), how would you feel if I, or someone else, wrote, the following?
I hereby accuse you of being here for no reason other than to cause local authorities, and other organisations, problems through manipulating the vulnerable, and easily influenced, individuals on these forums into involving the police, or threatening other legal action, where it may not be entirely necessary.
And I challenge you to prove otherwise!
Do you see that not only do we all have limited access to the facts, in any matter, and it's very easy to jump to unwarranted conclusions, simply because of a lack of knowledge and understanding, but also that once accused it is as good as impossible for the accussed to prove the accuser(s) wrong?
That's not to say that everyone should be given free reign to do whatever they wish - every community needs it's norms of acceptable behaviour - but being overly quick to accuse, judge, and meet out punishment, for any and all offences is just as bad as allowing anarchy to take over - but for different reasons.
And, just to re-iterate, the above quote is just an example - it is not what I actually think.

Reply

Scorpion0x17 over 13 years ago

Just to illustrate my point a little clearer, longman (and please note that is just an example, and that I do not actually think this), how would you feel if I, or someone else, wrote, the following?
I hereby accuse you of being here for no reason other than to cause local authorities, and other organisations, problems through manipulating the vulnerable, and easily influenced, individuals on these forums into involving the police, or threatening other legal action, where it may not be entirely necessary.
And I challenge you to prove otherwise!
Do you see that not only do we all have limited access to the facts, in any matter, and it's very easy to jump to unwarranted conclusions, simply because of a lack of knowledge and understanding, but also that once accused it is as good as impossible for the accussed to prove the accuser(s) wrong?
That's not to say that everyone should be given free reign to do whatever they wish - every community needs it's norms of acceptable behaviour - but being overly quick to accuse, judge, and meet out punishment, for any and all offences is just as bad as allowing anarchy to take over - but for different reasons.
And, just to re-iterate, the above quote is just an example - it is not what I actually think.

Children

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