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.