If a post goes viral, even within a circle of friends, we are more at risk of being a target for online trolling behaviors. The APA (American Psychological Association) recommends 5 approaches to prevent being targeted and to take action if it happens:
- Consider the risks: Trolling happens more to non-dominant groups and when posts are about controversial topics. Speaking out isn’t for everyone, so consider your situation before your post.
- Protect privacy: Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings on your social media sites of choice
- Support others: If you are in a secure position, consider speaking up when you see someone being harassed. “Targeting someone online is harder if there are more people speaking up collectively,” said Cornell University psychologist Gordon Pennycook, PhD.
- Use digital tools: Learn to use built-in tools to mute, block, and report trolling, online abuse, and hate speech.
- Let it pass: The flurry of interest will likely die down after a few days. That’s typical, Pennycook said, “If you go viral, there’s usually a flood of attention and then it stops, and life moves on. You can hunker down for a week and go back to normal.”