Understanding and Safeguarding Against Online Trolling

Trolling involves posting inflammatory, abusive, controversial, or offensive messages intended to upset or provoke someone into an emotional response. It often escalates into heated exchanges, with the instigator enjoying the ensuing chaos.

Warning Signs of Trolling

Identifying trolling behavior can help you protect yourself from becoming a victim. Watch out for:

• Inflammatory Posts: Comments designed to provoke anger or upset.
• Derogatory Posts: Attacks targeting specific individuals, groups, or subjects.
• Controversial Topics: Posts aimed at inciting anger and reactions.

Safeguarding Yourself Against Trolling

Protecting yourself from trolling is crucial, as it can lead to severe issues like depression, self-harm, or even suicidal thoughts. Here’s how you can safeguard yourself:

• Stay Calm: Do not feed the troll by reacting to their bait. Instead, ban or block them.
• Respond Thoughtfully: If you choose to respond, use humor or a kind response backed with relevant facts. Reinforce a no-troll policy and promote a friendly group environment.
• Report the Troll: Immediately complain to the social media platform's help center.
• Identify and Block Trolls: Common traits include spelling and grammar mistakes, exaggeration, personal attacks, and a sense of entitlement.
• Enhance Privacy Settings: Share your content privately and restrict your privacy settings to friends only.

Taking Action if Affected

If you find yourself targeted by trolls, take these steps:

1. Register a Complaint: Visit your nearest cybercrime police station.
2. Online Complaint: File a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in.

Important Tips

• Save Evidence: Take screenshots of the trolling incidents as proof. Note the troll’s mobile number and other details if available.
• Refer to Official Guidelines: Check cybercrime.gov.in for information on various cybercrimes and the evidence required for filing complaints.

Required Documents for Filing a Complaint

For social media-related complaints, prepare the following:

• Copy or screenshot of the alleged content, including pictures, comments, messages, and profiles.
• Screenshot of the URL of the alleged content.
• Hard and soft copies of the content (soft copies should be in CD-R format).
• Copy or screenshot of your complaint to the social media help center.

Legal Measures Against Trolling

While there are no specific laws against trolling in India, certain legal provisions can help you tackle these online offenders:

• Defamation (Section 499 IPC): Posting obscene images or remarks can result in a 2-year jail term if it defames a woman.
• Sexually Explicit Content (IT Act): Publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content can lead to 5-7 years in jail and a ₹10 lakh fine.
• Criminal Intimidation (Section 503 IPC): Threatening to harm a woman’s reputation can lead to conviction. Section 507 IPC deals with anonymous threats.