How to Spot a Troll On Social Media

Bloggers beware!

Troll: according to the Urban Dictionary’s definition for “trolling,” it is defined as:


So if you are active on social media (Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook) online communities, you may have experienced what many savvy internet users call “internet trolls” or “being trolled.”

This is not a pleasant experience for those being trolled.

For these trolls often show no mercy and are often relentless in their pursuit of defamation, degradation, and disrespect.

These are not like the trolls who are depicted as mythical creatures in ancient folklore or even more recently as something that lives under a bridge. (Here in Michigan, if you live in the lower peninsula-under Mackinac Bridge-you are considered a troll).

****Trolls are responsible for the following:

1. Social media stallking.

2. Dropping comments that stir the pot in hopes of eliciting strong emotional reactions, thus provoking anger, hurt, or humiliation in others.

3. Call names, become obscene, and spew negative comments.

4. Develop fake profiles or posting anonymously.

5. They leave comments on blogs, news reports, send emails, leave comments on YouTube.

6. They delight in being harmful, even though some trolls are harmless and out for a good laugh. Many are not and this is where trolling becomes a stalking and often predatory characteristic.

****Trolls can be found:

1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Pinterest
4. Snapchat
5. YouTube
6. GooglePlus
7. LinkedIn
8. New report sites
9. Blogs
and many many more places….


1. They feel safe posting anonymously

2. They enjoy being hurtful

3. They suffer from low self-esteem or depression.

4. It is often a mental disorder.

5. Sad, angry, or jealous

6. Narcisstic type behaviors enjoy this stuff

7. Feel as if they have a point to prove.

8. It makes them feel stronger.

Recently, my group, Training Keepers of the Home, and another similar group were being trolled by a long-time member.

She had gained the confidence of those within the perimeters of the group and ultimately betrayed us.

Personal information,

Even though this happens regularly and myself, group administrators or moderators remove them; it is different when it was a long term member.

Social media group offers many benefits, but just like everything there are those that seek to destroy all good things.

My group, Training Keepers of the Home ( is a closed and private group for women seeking encouragement in their roles of Biblical Womanhood and Christian Homemaking.

I feel there is something wrong with a person to stoop to such levels to actually go through the screening process in our private group, pretend to be a Christian woman that believes the way we do, and then turn around to expose us.

This can make one feel humiliated and ashamed, as they come to a group seeking advice and mentoring; only to be duped.

But, Christ is bigger than this.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing.

We are to love because we were loved first.

My group will continue to pray for our troll and others that feel necessary to stalk, slander, and be deceptive in their ways.


1. Make sure your approval process is as tough as it can be.

2. Have them answer questions. Many trolls will not take the time to answer questions or provide information.

3. Do not allow comments on blogs without reading them first.

4. Delete the comments if necessary.

5. Check for fake profiles. Those with little background information, few pictures, or no friends. Or those that were recently created.

6. If you suspect that a troll is already in a group, check for comments that seem to go against the groups standards. Check for those comments that seem to agreeable and too supportive. Often a troll will go overboard in trying to fit in or trying to be a buddy. If you start receiving friend requests from members of group that you belong to or have created, be aware.

7. Ban them.

8. Block them.

9. Delete them.

10. Report them.

*****Don’t give out personal information such as your address or phone number. Protect yourself, your family, and group members at all costs.

If you have any other tips, I would love to see them and share them with my readers.

Be blessed….

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