Dealing With Internet Flamers as a Blogger
Written by Nile | Posted in Blogging | Posted on 
09-09-2009 | 
6 Comments
Tags: blogging
It is inevitable. There will be people who eventually visit your website and try to cause havoc. Whether it is a ‘hit-and-run’ where they visit once and never return, or have been regularely lurking, you can take several actions. Some of what I suggest are quite progressive, while others are not. Flaming is a form of harassment. Often it is stemmed from jealousy, or boredom – at least from my experience in handling them.
Just in case, for those who do not know, according to Wikipedia:
Flaming is a hostile and insulting interaction between Internet users. Flaming usually occurs in the social context of a discussion board, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), by e-mail or on Video-sharing websites.
Here are ways to handle this type of behavior when you are faced with it:
1. Ignore and delete flamers who comment. Even if a commenter is persistent, you can ignore or delete their comment. If you are a blogger who allows any type of comments to be posted, that is fine. Regardless, whether you ignore or delete, without response back, the flamer will eventually get bored.
2. Even if a commenter is persistent, you can find out who their Internet Provider (ISP) is according to their Internet Protocol (IP). If your blog records IP addresses for commenters, you can apply the xx.xx.xxx.xxx (example) to an application like SamSpade.org. Once you have found their internet provider, you can email the ISP with the user, evidence of their harassment (screenshot or if you have left their response up on you live website), and your complaint.
I know, only two, but really, you can either ignore or do something about it. If the harassment involves threats to you or your family, you will have a definite case. Remember, some of these people might have nothing better to do with their time then mess with other people, so it is better to not give them the fuel to continue their charades.
Have you ever had a flamer visit and comment on your site? What steps did you take to deter them or did you do anything?
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i just block/ban the guys i had the other day.. But good idea
Don’t forget to save your messages — especially if the threat is personal or involves members of your family. Usually the admin gets notification of new comments via their email address, which includes the content of the comment. Leave that in your inbox instead of deleting.
You’ll need them as proof, in case it’s required in the future.
Very true. Definitely it is important to either take screenshots, or save any messages in case you need them to report the culprit.
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