Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The term troll much like racist is thrown around so freely that it's lost much of it's meaning and do any of us have faith that the motley collection of mental deficients in Westminster will make practical and reasoned choices?. Richard you are an example of a growing group who react in a knee jerk fashion dig a hole for themselves and rather then realise you jumped the gun and got thing's wrong double down and keep digging.

Normally in sane times it's not too much of a problem but at times like now where those who shout loudest and act most offended have politician's queuing up to pander to them is when badly thought out and poor legislation is passed and does far more damage then good.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Well, we shall have to wait and see what the new laws look like and how they work in practice.

Making site owners have a legal duty of care to their users and becoming liable for what their users publish on the internet under the threat of heavy fines should make them act more responsibly to protect vulnerable people.

We simply cannot continue with a situation where people are made ill, have their quality of life affected or are driven to suicide.

These new laws aren't just about dealing with trolls/bullies/bigots whatever you want to call them, it's also about protecting children, those with mental health or disability issues etc. There are actually sites that allow users to encourage suicide, anorexia and self harm, whilst others are failing to comply with the Equality Act eg refusing to make adjustments to help disabled people.

There's a whole host of things out there that need to be dealt with; i'm hoping that scammers will be included too. It cannot be right that popular commercial sites take money from known fraudsters to advertise on their platform.

I'm quietly confident that freedom of speech won't be impacted for the majority of right thinking, decent people.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

:clap:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

:tu: Well said.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Interesting . . . can you name 3 and give examples?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Indeed i would like to know who they are as well so i can keep away from them.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I don't agree with the views expressed by the proponents of this thread - but do we really want to join the 'close' culture?

This is a free country which permits free speech. Close it down at your peril.

People on this forum should stop ridiculing people they disagree with and start trying to have a sensible discussion on the differences between us.

How can closing down a debate on a discussion forum ever be a good idea?

We need to take a good look at ourselves and step up to the plate.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

About time snowflakes moved in to the deep freeze. Could use many more sayings . Head and wall being just an other !

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I ain't ridiculing anyone, I just think that this thread has been done to death, nothing more to add.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I don’t agree with the changes to the legislation as proposed by Richard - this goes much too far. But I agree there is a problem. However, we do not need extreme measures to deal with that problem.

The current position is not acceptable. We need to find a middle way through. This discussion is far from done, but both sides to this debate are polarised. If we keep restating our position without considering alternative ways to resolve the problem, we will continue to go around in circles.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The legislation aims to protect freedom of speech, but stop the abuse of vulnerable (and other) people online, be it financial, inappropriate remarks, questions etc.

This thread in particular has provided some excellent examples of how people feel it appropriate to treat disabled people.

---------- Post added at 22:00 ---------- Previous post was at 21:59 ----------

Indeed.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

You're disabled? Why didn't you tell someone.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

You’re doing it again - people are disagreeing with you and your propositions, and you conflate these disagreements with the fact you are disabled.

When people on this forum disagree with my views, my default isn’t "they’re only doing it because I’m Scottish"…

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

There is much more to debate. The legislation is currently being considered inside Parliament and, when enacted, will affect a lot of people. Many people, for various differing reasons, will find this to be a good or a bad thing.

Those who have been subject to abuse such as children or those in the protected groups, should find life online safer and less taxing on their mental health,

Scammers, paedophiles, those who obtain pleasure from mocking and insulting people because of the colour of their skin, their disability and its affects, sexual orientation etc are more likely to unhappy that their activities are to be curtailed.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Sounds pretty incompatible to me.

how so?

---------- Post added at 22:12 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

Doubtful

Doubtful

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

These aren't my propositions, they are proposals to be put before Parliament, I merely provided input.

As previously explained, I have no problem whatsoever with those who have differing views. It's when it is done through the use of tactics like mocking, insulting, laughing at a disabled person and the inevitable affects of their various disabilities that it becomes a problem.

It's akin to mocking someone interacting verbally because they have a stutter or because they have a brain issue like dementia that affects how they process information and express themselves.

Being Scottish doesn't affect you in the same way that a disability would, though of course you could still be unlawfully discriminated against because of it.

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:19 ----------

I tell anyone who I think needs to know in order that they can contextualise this, take my disabilities into account and thus comply with the Equality Act.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

It was a joke. I think everyone on here knows 100 times over. You don't need to keep reminding everyone.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Why can’t I laugh at a disabled person? Especially if what they’re doing or saying is funny?


Try telling that to. JFMan

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Context is king. If a disabled person makes a joke, you aren't laughing at their disability eg the way that they walk due to an accident.

For those asking about scam adverts:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ne...e-scams-in-on/

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Richard pick one it's either support this legislation or support free speech because you can't do both this legislation is a sledgehammer to free speech. Many many years ago there was a website called ventyourdemons.com thousands of members who on the vent section posted some of the most violent and hateful comments you could possibly imagine but once they had vented they were ok and went on to comment and help others in the various topic threads. it was a release until somebody came along who only read the vent section not the topics thread and complained and got the website closed down.

I had a friend who'd been wounded serving his country who used it he said it let him get rid of the bad voices in his head, 5 month's after the closure of the site he committed suicide his note read "too many voices inside I can't live like this anymore". This is the first time I've talked about this since it happened and I thought long and hard about putting it on here because I carry some guilt about it and will always have the questions of did I miss something and was there more I could have done, but it's important for you to hopefully understand that legislation is a very broad double edged sword Richard.

This legislation will automatically kill any such sites or similar sites I don't know of any myself I only knew about that particular one because it helped my friend but I'm certain they are out there as the need for them exists. Your completely wrapped up in your personal world Richard and project your issues onto others and because you struggle to deal with certain aspects you want the law to come in and sort it out for you.

As I've said this legislation will absolutely not have the consequences you think it will and in a year or two when that becomes clear to you you'll want more legislation and more penalties because that's the route you've chosen. I and many many others prefer to face all interaction in all it's forms and learn to deal with things we don't like or understand it's a far more constructive approach then hoping on legislation from a bunch of people who have long lost the connection to ordinary people.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

That doesnt cover your assertion that "popular commercial sites take money from known fraudsters to advertise on their platform".

Which popular commercial sites are [knowingly] taking money from known fraudsters ?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Generally speaking, we don't have complete freedom of speech in this country, or anywhere else that I know of and never have had for centuries. We can, however, be considered to have freedom of speech though when compared to places like Russia.

This is not a binary issue between allowing people to publically say whatever they want and disallowing them from saying anything. Like most things, a compromise is the better of the two. We had this for years and it worked pretty well until the internet came along and changed things.

It soon emerged that some would be intent on using it to upset and harm others, even those less fortunate than themselves, for their own personal pleasure. It should be noted at this point that some people who make inappropriate remarks aren't able to help it because, for example, they have a learning disability like aspergers (a form of autism) that affects their social skills and ability to express themselves appropriately.

The correct course of action with these people would be to talk them through why what they are doing/saying is wrong and the affects that their behaviour has on other people and to only use lawful recourse as a last resort. Others can help by not goading or encouraging their behaviour.

The first general approach to the issue was for site owners to police their users themselves through the routes of rules and moderation. The problems persisted and site owners were then asked to comply with a voluntary code of practice; unfortunately, this failed too, so it has been felt necessary to bring in legislation to deal with the various issues.

We are actually seeing some benefits already with some sites reviewing their rules and improving moderation, either through increased numbers, retraining or some receiving training for the very first time. It's a shame that this couldn't have been done voluntarily without the need for legislation, but it is what it is.

A site similar to what you suggest was tried a few years ago, but eventually had to close, even under the voluntary code of practice era, because it became so bad that the suppliers that facilitated their presence on the internet found it to be too intolerable and pulled the plug.

Those who wish to air and discuss views that most of society find unacceptable can, and will remain, able to do so in the privacy of eirher their own home or that of a sympathiser. This ensures that people ultimately have the right to a complete freedom of speech (providing that this is nothing unlawful, like conspiracy to carry out a crime), whilst not subjecting others to their remarks.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Nice copy & paste.

:PP:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Richard, you misunderstand me - I wasn’t talking about the Government proposals, I was meaning when you said

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I'm done there is just no penetrating the bubble.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

What are you talking about?

---------- Post added at 02:32 ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 ----------

My second paragraph was a response to that.

---------- Post added at 02:37 ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 ----------

That's a shame as you put your alternative viewpoint across very eloquently and didn't resort to puerile remarks, rudeness etc when doing so.

We can debate with others but, unfortunately, won't always be able to change another person's view, that's not to say that it still isn't useful and interesting to do so.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

You said Once again, you conflate people disagreeing with your propositions/views/ideas with (sometimes in a mocking manner) with them mocking your disability - people responding to your posts treat you no differently (imho) than any other posters they disagree with; some posters are courteous, some are funny, some are sarcastic, and some are quite blunt - these responses are not aimed at your disability, but at your posts.

You seem to have a blind spot about criticism, assuming that any disagreement/negative comments must be personal, when in fact, you are being treated exactly the same as any other poster on CF.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

What Hugh said, you could try reading it with a Scottish accent and it might make more sense ;).

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

A chip on the shoulder is a personality trait. ;)

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Sorry for the delay in replying, been sleeping for much of the time after new medication.

The thing is that people's posts are affected & influenced by their mental disabilities, so they are one and the same thing, there's been some examples of autism doing this earlier.

If a member developed something like dementia they (I hope) wouldn't be subjected to being mocked, belittled etc for repeating themselves or asking questions which, to others, seem ridiculous. This is why it's a good idea to let people know about any problems that one has to enable them to take them into account whilst nteracting with other people either on or offline.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Please stop trying to sound like an authority about subjects you like to think you’re an expert on.

Some posts can be affected by conditions, other posts won’t be. Neither you or anyone else can be sure which will be which..

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

So let me try and get this straight. You're saying the reason you easily take exception to comments and complain we're picking on you because you're disabled is a consequence of your disability so have you considered there could well be nothing wrong with the posts you don't like after all. Is this the same reason you're very quick to threaten forum members with legal action?

Before you start playing the disabled card when someone disagrees with your posts maybe you need to pause for a few minutes and ask yourself if they too have some form of disability that could be influenced by their own disabilities and that they may be doing the same as you and reading something in your posts that isn't there and so replying in a way you don't like but they may not be able to help it?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Exactly, I was diagnosed as a complete Twaat many years ago, and it definitely affects how and what I post.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

My disability has resulted, amongst other things, in cognitive issues, which I have previously acknowledged.

It is certainly possible that other contributors suffer from various disabilities that affect them and their resultant posts, in fact I have my suspicions that one or two have various conditions which they may not even be aware of themselves (yet).

As children are now more likely to have their conditions picked up at an early age, it isn't unknown for their parents to be diagnosed too. Many say that everything that they've experienced in life all clicks into place and they are relieved to find that it isn't their fault as they've always been told by teachers, employers, their peer group etc.

However, it isn't possible to take these into consideration if they do not declare that they have an issue.

I've said before that I used to think that one of the contributors to this thread was a deeply unpleasant individual, but since he declared that he is on the autistic spectrum, my view of him has changed and I try to be as sympathetic and helpful as I can be.

I have often used dementia as an example in my posts. Whilst I have no proper experience of this as an individual, I have had a taste if what it must feel like.

It's been claimed that about 50% of us will end our lives suffering from this condition; it must be heartbreaking for their loved ones to witness and maybe terrifying for the person themselves. Having episodes where you don't know who you are or where you are is frightening, not even knowing what you are is petrifying.

I'm interested to know how members would react to a long time member who started developing dementia (I think that it's unlikely that they would be capable of posting at all once it became very serious).

Would people be empathetic, helpful and kind, or would they view it as an ideal time to stick the boot in whilst sneering, belittling and humiliating them?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Some people just don't fit into the 'boxes' that society would like us to, we don't follow the crowd, we don't 'conform'.

We have a different perspective on things we see, hear and read, and how we react to those things. We're often not 'team players' and definitely don't belong in the 'yes men' category, we are who we are. If asked our opinion we freely give it, but it's quite likely not the answer people wanted . . . or needed.

Psychoanalysts would probably have a fancy word for us, some mental aberration or other, not that we'd be bothered anyway :D

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Leaders mate.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

---------- Post added at 13:59 ---------- Previous post was at 13:52 ----------

Ordinary people have a word (well, quite a few) as well… ;)

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

and they're quite entitled to use it (or any other), without fear of me reporting them, being sued, beaten up, or even receiving letters from solicitors ;)


buying them a pint may be out of the question though :D

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

:clap:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Has anyone heard anything about making misogyny a hate crime?

I was half asleep when I heard a report about the bill that the Government is putting through to restrict the right to protest going to the House of Lords and it was mentioned then.

I assume that the male equivalent would be included too and that, if passed, it would be included in the Online Harms legislation.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I'm sure a person in your 'position' and with the many sources of information open to you, will have better success asking that question on one of the many 'Online Harms' sites/forums that you undoubtedly have access to . . .


. . so why ask here . . unless you're trolling . . . again :dozey:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I don't particularly want to hear about it.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

It's you that's trolling with your snide and unnecessary remarks.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

No, I don't think so Richard.
Considering the constant reminders about your disability, you obviously have access to, and probably membership of, many varied sites relating to the online abuse of the disabled and hate crimes in general.

I'm simply questioning why you think the information you seek regarding the misogyny question would get you a better answer here than any of those other sites.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Seconded. It sounded more to me like an attempt to get the subject of Misandry discussed but strangely for someone else to go first.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

More to the point, is it really relevant to "Police to get tough on internet trolls."

Lets try and stick to the subject.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The problem here is that you are erroneously treating your assumptions as correct.

As I have previously explained, it's to let people know of the limitations that disability causes to enable them to take a holistic approach when dealing with the disabled.

---------- Post added at 13:02 ---------- Previous post was at 12:59 ----------

That's the term for the male equivalent, yes. I couldn't think of it at the time- thank you.

Only misogyny was mentioned, but to not also include misandry would be as ridiculous as saying that racism only applies to people of colour and sexism only applies to women.

---------- Post added at 13:09 ---------- Previous post was at 13:02 ----------

Upon hearing this, my thinking was that if misogyny and/or misandry do end up becoming classed as hate crimes, it would be highly unlikely that they wouldn't be included in the legislation currently being considered in order to deal with the trolling of people based on their gender.

Since nobody here appears to have heard anything about this, i'll ask my contact at Ofcom when I feel a little better.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

An answer that went nowhere near the question I asked :rolleyes:

Lots of 'racism' stuff is ridiculous, it's way over the top in some areas.

Maybe doing that the first time would have been better than asking the question here . . which you apparently 'felt better enough' to do at the time. :D



Do you have an opinion on 'Midget Gems' . . . or Mini Cheddars, Tiny Tots, Bigger Peas, or books like 'Little Women?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Or transistors…. :D

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I decided to look up the definition of trolling.I found it interesting to find some different interpretations to the obvious one of the old fairy tale of trolls living under a bridge.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dic...glish/trolling

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

According to the trick cyclists I have PTSD, clinical depression and acute anxiety syndrome ordinary sawbones have a 6" thick folder full of things that affect me daily and what consideration should any of that get me on the internet absolutely none. It's my choice to interact with other's on the internet and it's my personal responsibility to understand that my experience may not be all rainbows and unicorn farts, it's also my choice where I go on the internet and if I go someplace and have a negative experience I don't go back. What I don't do is threaten anyone, I don't support ridiculous legislative over reach or expect a white knight in any form to come to my rescue and if my personal circumstances intervene in anyway on my interaction on the internet that is my problem not the Internet's or other people's on the internet.

Maggy raises a good point what definition of trolling will be used by this legislation do we rely on our so called representatives to thoroughly research this when the majority of them can't even do their expenses and business dealings accurately. You don't like it Richard but the world isn't a safe place so why should a digital representation of that world be safe everywhere for everyone do you stroll or wheel your way through the bad parts of where you live of course not but you expect to be safe everywhere you go on the internet. As a society we seem to be dumbing down and expecting other's to deal with thing's that we should be personally responsible for and used to be and it's getting out of control.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I agree that trolling is a problem, but are we clear about what it is?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Ummm, if you are not clear on what it is, how can you agree its a problem ?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Excellent question.;)

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53nRcfosYR0

Rosie Jones who takes the pee constantly about her condition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abBi...n%27sGotTalent

Lost Voice Guy who has turned his disability to good ends.

Just two who have turned their disability into a positive.They make their points and promote themselves and others with disabilities. They don't look around to make themselves a special case.They take on the world on their own terms.They are wonderful advocates for equality for the disabled.There are very many more if you care to look around.Indeed one of the most popular TV shows is presented by people with disability and uses humour to make some pretty good points about what it is to be disabled and yet not let it hold them back.

Maybe they should be referenced more by Richard as an example of how to show positivity instead of constant negativity.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Did you see how Rosie was treated by an Uber driver last week? that highlight that no matter how many positives someone can make of their condition they see get faced with prejudice sometimes

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Speaking as a woman I know that.However why always underline the negativity?Why not go for the complete positivity in every situation? It's one way of making everyone disabled feel that they can rise above their situation.

There are always horses arses but always letting them set the agenda is no way to improve anything.Abuse of those weaker than yourself is underlining that you feel threatened by disability.

This entire thread is full of negativity about the disabled.It's depressing.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Exactly. No amount of “new initiatives” by the government will change the prejudice in some people. At best you can try to run it underground but that doesn’t change the problem.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I think we all know what it is, but it’s the extent of that definition that bothers me. Some people seem to think that posts disagreeing with what they’ve said constitutes trolling.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Everybody carries with them their own prejudice and bias. Everybody make assumptions about everybody at first based on how they look, how they sound, what they say, what their name is etc.

Then, if you actually get to talk to people you may, or may not, re-assess your initial thoughts on the person(s)

It's human.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

You mean like people having big issues with, for example, foreign call centre staff and a connected misconception that anybody not British (white??) is by default a lying two faced criminal?

And when you do actually have to talk to a foreign call centre you've already made your mind up that you're going to have problems so resulting in you further reinforcing your existing prejudices.

Yeah, I suppose you could say it's only human :rolleyes:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Well, be careful with those spring loaded boots, it's quite a leap from what I was suggesting.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I think we've all met someone at some time that we - for whatever reason - take an instant dislike to.

I'm pretty sure it's not because of the persons colour, race, disability, religion or political stance, but something deeper and instinctive that says 'watch this one'

Conversely we've also met those we feel an instant affinity to, again just some instinctive brain function harking back to when we lived in caves ;)

In both cases that 'first impression' can turn out to be wrong, but it still happens . . . as Pierre says, it's human nature.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Sometimes i don't even have to physically meet them. I can work it out over a short period of time via written words.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I wonder if this item on the BBC suggests the new act would cover frivolous legal threats? Could they be classed as "genuinely threatening" or "knowingly false" messages?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Good to see the courts taking a harsher line against online harassment:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.exa...y-22993824.amp

---------- Post added at 10:34 ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 ----------

The trouble with this is that misunderstandings can often occur when communicating in the written word.

Things such as tone, facial expressions etc aren't present and some people aren't able to express themselves effectively due to various disabilities.

---------- Post added at 10:38 ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 ----------

Yes, I think that this is true. It is irrational though, so I think that we should try to override these thoughts.

Such thoughts are said to be because we try to work people out based on past experiences (good of bad) from people that they remind us off either physically, socially, intellectually etc.

I think that this arises from a primitive form of self protection eg if we were stung by a certain plant, we would be wary of going near to a plant that reminded us of the one that stung us in the past, which may be perfectly innocuous.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Do you have a link to anything backing up that statement? I'd be interested to read the science behind it.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

This wasn't created as a 'disability thread' as someone assumed earlier.

You're quite right in that there are lots of positive examples of how people cope with disability, but this thread was created with the intention of discussing how the authorities intend to deal with online trolling/bullying/harassment etc towards people of any kind, much if which is based on race, mental or physical disability, gender, sexuality etc.

That's not to say that every incident involves a person with a protected characteristic and, therefore, classed as a hatd crime. Sometimes it can be borne out of jealousy of a celebrity, or just plain spite, where zn individual is targeted for no particular reason at all.

---------- Post added at 11:00 ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 ----------

It's not something that I've read recently, but a search should give you affirmation. It stands to reason that a child or an animal that touches fire and feels pain will remember the incident and try not to repeat it on the interests of self preservation.

In fact, afyer speaking to my specialist about my current head pain, pain doesn't actually truly exist, it's the response of the brain when it receives a message that something is wrong or that the body is becoming damaged in some way. I guess the idea is to encourage us to take care of ourselves or stop whatever is giving rise to the pain.

Doesn't seem fair when it's something that an individual can't help or stop, but there we are.

---------- Post added at 11:05 ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 ----------

It's been reported by BBC TV news that it's felt that the online harms Bill doesn't go far enough in scope or content.

I've found this:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk...ings/cbp-8743/

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I think it's a great idea.

We really need to push more of our limited police and court resources into investigating and punishing these crimes.

I know that people who have been burgled, had their car stolen, have been robbed and/or beaten up in the street or are in an area plagued by feral youths and drug addicts won't agree, but what exactly do you expect for the money?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The answer is that both are important and should be dealt with as they ruin peopes lives or can even end up with people losing their lives.

Today's news that covers the extended issues, which includes drugs & arms dealing and posts that encourage suicide, is now online and is the first report:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00149dn

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Felt by who ?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

By those with the right narrative obviously!!

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Those considering it inside Parliament.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I heard an interesting discussion about how free speech should be on Radio 4 earlier:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00140c5

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

But you are the disability champion so everything you post ends up being about disability.

---------- Post added at 10:02 ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 ----------

:clap:

---------- Post added at 10:03 ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 ----------

:tu:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

It's not clear to me what you mean.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I bet it's clear to everyone else though.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Never a more sure thing has ever been posted on CF.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

To clarify - it appears that no matter what the posting topic, you will eventually raise disability as part of the conversation.

This may not be intentional, but it is seen as inevitable.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

:tu:

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Indeed

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Come on, cut the guy some slack.

He has his own business, has an extensive and probably profitable shares/investments portfolio, and the ear of some of the top CEO's in business.

Don't let jealousy influence your judgement

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Are you trying to run rings around me because you know that I have cognitive issues? It's certainly beginning to look that way. People with learning disabilities, mental health disabilities, mental health problems etc need clear, concise and uncluttered messages, not arsey comments or backbiting private messages circulated about them.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Here we go again.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Thanks for explaining what was meant Hugh. The subject of those in (or not in) the protected groups being trolled online is the salient subject of this thread. The protected group that i'm in is that related to disability as that is the one that I have direct experience of, so it's inevitable that I'll be able to relate to that more than any of the others, even though I do endeavour to understand and support others.

The unpleasant way that I'm treated and spoken to by a small group of other people must be related to disabilith discrimination as that's the only thing that separates me apart from other members.

These days it's socially unacceptable to be directly racist, ableist, homophobic etc also, people tend to incorrectly think that they can skirt round the law by being unpleasant or downright nasty to those in the protected groups, so long as their disability/race/gender etc is not directly mentioned.

I can't remember which thread it was, but as an example one individual recently tried the age old 'nobody likes you' routine. It really was schoolboy stuff designed to alienate, isolate and upset.

.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

And bang goes the dynamite.

Speak for yourself pal.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I just think you're a tool.

And just to clarify that for you, that has nothing to do with your disability.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The only cognitive issues you appear to have are those seemingly bordering on the sociopathic. I use that term carefully having been recently accused of it myself.

You do not, ever, come across on here as being cognitively challenged, in fact quite the opposite. You come across as being highly intelligent, manipulative, and totally in control.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Explain why you are being so rude and the reasons for why you think the way that you do.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

It might also be be related to you coming across as a colossal knob…………most of the time.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

We've been through this before. It's impossible for a non medically trained person to remotely diagnose someone else. Cognitive issues as a result of brain injury and many other difficulties have nothing to do with impaired intelligence.

I've previously explained how I use human and non human disability aids in order to use the Internet.

---------- Post added at 20:53 ---------- Previous post was at 20:51 ----------

[/COLOR]Please give examples to back up your claim. I acknowledge that the way I process information and express myself will be impacted by my disability, as is the case with all brain impairments.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Well for one you accused me of something I didn't do and threatened legal action.

Two, I believe you live in a fantasy land and most the stuff you come out with is completely untrue.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

.. and there you go again. Enjoy your rest from this topic.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

Spreading Covid-19 disinformation would also be covered under a crime of sending a false communication.

Will Prof Neil Ferguson be affected by this?

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

We have,…..many times.

Your issue is that nobody on here really knows you, or I, or anyone. That’s the way it works. On here we can only judge each other on what we post.

Over the years, based on how we post we can form opinions on each other, still flawed, yes.

My opinion on you based on how you post, is that the disability that you say you have. Doesn’t present itself. I do not, based on what you post, consider you disabled. I see no evidence. On here of your disability.

If someone on here had one leg, they would be disabled but that wouldn’t mean that they would be given any slack on what they post.

Same applies to you.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

The thing that concerns me is that unless people scream from the rooftops that they have a disability, nobody on a discussion forum will be aware of that disability. Or their race, or even their gender.

As a matter of interest, there are a number of regular posters on this forum that are in protected categories, and I only know that through the odd casual comment about it over a long period of time.

If someone is going to complain about a post someone makes, would the complainant not have to prove intent to discriminate? Of course, there will always be complaints from people offended on behalf of others.

I do empathise with vulnerable people - their lives can be a misery when people gang up on them because they tease or bully them due to that vulnerability. But any measures introduced need to be proportionate and balanced. I'm not sure that the Online Safety Bill does that.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

However some people scream about it at every opportunity they get, using it as a emotional “shield” from people who they’ve thrown silly and unfounded accusations at.

Even when the subject matter wasn’t about disabilities in the first place.

Re: Police to get tough on internet trolls.
 

I'm not saying if I'm in a protected group or not as I don't think it'd have any bearing on anything I post here. If it did then I'd apologise for upsetting anyone as a result, rather than use it as a way of excusing (rationalising?) any confrontational or derogatory comment I made.

I wonder how long it'll be until any new law is tested to see what floats as a defence. Hopefully, saying "I can't help what I say because......." will be as useless a defence as pleading ignorance is in almost any other circumstance.