Trolls these days are just self feeding, once they latch onto a target it doesn't matter what they do or don't do; they'll obsess over them.

Not really. Trolls want your reaction to their antics; deny them that and they'll eventually have to move on - this holds true now just as much as it did back in the day. The only difference is that people are even more incapable of following that rule now than they used to be.

I find it's best to block them the moment they make a comment trying to start something. Doesn't feed them and saves one a headache of getting into a flame war or such.

"Don't feed the trolls" only really works with a layer of anonymity in the mix, and even that it was more of a stopgap than a real solution. Some random on a forum you're on, sure you can avoid drawing them in too deep and getting them interested.

But that was before we start putting ourselves more fully online. Becoming more attached to our online profiles and as online spaces become more "real" and permanent fixtures. Cyber stalking and bullying is so much more of a real thing now than in the days when "don't feed the trolls" was the relevant take away, and people have a real stake in their online personas.

I'm glad things like blocking exist, and happy to see at least some platforms continue to develop more robust options for dealing with online negativity. There really are people out there with just ... nothing better to do, and they can do real damage now.

Banning works unless your on twitter where the worst things go unpunished and the innocent suffer.

For Apartheid Barbie, that's a feature, not a bug.

lol no, banning does not work. ever. do you know how simple it is to change your IP address to bypass a ban? (not saying i've done it, but you can do it easily from your computer). banning people for "being mean" is also immoral and unethical, as people should be allowed to express themselves. (unless they do something illegal, like post cheese pizza)

the term "don't feed the trolls" has always meant "YOU don't feed the trolls". they will be fed regardless, but YOU should refrain from feeding them. it's like those signs at zoos that say "DO NOT HAND-FEED". There will always be someone dumb enough to do it, and they will get bitten. you just have to make sure that someone isn't yourself.

good point, pretty much the best we can hope for is preserving our own sanity.