As a beginner content creator, the journey is exciting but can be intimidating because of internet trolls. These individuals can shake your confidence with negative comments, harsh criticism, and racism. Their bullying will make you question whether content creating is even worth it.
As author and activist Ijeoma Oluo wisely said:
“The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself.”
This principle applies to dealing with trolls as well. We must recognize their behavior without internalizing their hate.
Do you know that every successful creator has faced internet trolls. As a newbie, you have to learn ways to deal with the hate without derailing your passion for creating content.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What is an internet troll
- Why trolls target creators (it’s not about you!)
- Practical strategies to deal with hate comments
- How to protect your mental health while growing your audience
- When (and how) to respond and when to ignore the hate
- Turning negativity into motivation
By the end, you will ignore the haters.
What is an Internet Troll?
An internet troll is someone whose primary goal is to upset, disrupt, and provoke emotional responses to harm content creators or original posters of content. They do this by posting offensive content, provocative hot takes, or off-color commentary. These individuals use their own profile or anonymous profiles to target creators and community members alike.
Trolling behaviors can range from:
- Posting deliberately inflammatory comments
- Making personal attacks unrelated to content
- Derailing conversations with irrelevant arguments
- Repeatedly posting the same negative content
- Using hate speech or discriminatory language
- Creating fake accounts to amplify harassment
Understanding what trolling looks like helps you identify when someone is genuinely offering criticism versus when they’re simply trying to provoke you.
Why Do Trolls Exist? (Hint: It’s Not About You)
Before learning how to handle internet trolls, it helps to understand why they do what they do. Trolls are attention whores. The more you react (especially negatively), the more they engage. Their behavior often comes from:
- Boredom – Some people troll just because they have nothing better to do.
- Insecurity – Putting others down makes them feel powerful and happy.
- Jealousy – Seeing someone else create can trigger unresolved feelings.
- Anonymity – Hiding behind a screen or a pfp makes them embolden.
- Bigotry & Racism – Some trolls attack creators because of their race, gender, sexuality, or beliefs. This type of hate is about their prejudice, not your content.
- Just Because – They do it because they feel like it.
For more insight on online harassment patterns, check out this Pew Research study on online harassment.
The biggest lesson? Trolling is a them problem not a you problem. I know it’s hard but try not to take it personally.
10 Effective Strategies to Handle Trolls
1. Don’t Feed the Trolls (The #1 Rule)
Trolls want a reaction. The best way to disarm them? Don’t engage.
- Ignore – No response = no reward for their behavior.
- Delete & block – If a comment is hateful, racist, or bigoted, remove it immediately. You define your space’s rules.
- Use moderation tools – Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to filter offensive words and auto-block harmful comments.
Pro Tip: If a comment isn’t outright hateful but is just rude, ask yourself: Is this feedback or just noise? Constructive criticism can help you grow your audience, but empty, mindless babble shouldn’t raise your blood pressure.
2. Respond with Humor (When Appropriate)
Sometimes, a funny or shady comeback can shut down a troll while keeping things light and fun.
Example:
- Troll: “Your videos are so boring.”
- You: “Thanks! I specialize in inducing insomnia. 😴”
This disarms negativity while showing you’re unbothered.
Warning: Avoid sarcasm that could escalate things. Sometimes, you can take things too far and give internet trolls a chance to double down on negativity. Never engage with racist or bigoted remarks—report and block instead.
3. Turn Hate into Content (The Ultimate Power Move)
If you do engage with hate comments, use the comments as content inspiration.
- Make a “Hate Comments” video – Reacting to them in a funny or educational way (like YouTubers do).
- Address common criticisms – If multiple people say the same thing, point out the lesson.
- Show your growth – “A year ago, this comment would’ve crushed me. Now? Chile, please.”
This flips the script and makes trolls work for you instead of against you.
4. Build a Supportive Community
The more positive engagement you have, the less power trolls hold.
- Encourage kind comments – Ask your audience questions to foster honest conversations.
- Engage with supporters – Reply to positive and mid comments to boost morale.
- Use moderators – If you have a Facebook group or Discord, assign trusted people to filter toxicity.
Remember: For every one hater, there are likely 10+ silent supporters. Focus on them.
5. Protect Your Mental Health
Negative comments will hurt, especially if they’re racist, sexist, or bigoted. Here’s how to stay strong:
- Limit comment checks – Set limits on when to engage in comments.
- Talk to fellow creators – They’ve been there! Venting helps.
- Practice self-affirmation – Remind yourself why you create. Trolls don’t define your ultimate goal.
- Seek support – If online hate becomes overwhelming, seek out friends, mentors, or even a therapist to help.
Pro Tip: Keep a “Love File”—screenshots of nice comments to read when you are feeling down.
6. Know When to Report & Block
Some trolls cross the line into harassment. If someone is:
- Threatening you
- Using hate speech (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.)
- Spamming malicious links
- Doxxing your personal information
Report them immediately. For the most part, platforms take this seriously. Your safety comes first.
7. Set Clear Community Guidelines
Establish rules for engagement on your platforms and enforce them consistently:
- Post your guidelines where they’re visible
- Explain what behavior won’t be tolerated
- Be transparent about moderation actions
- Set an example by being respectful yourself
8. Educate Your Audience
Sometimes, bringing awareness to trolling can help:
- Share articles about online harassment
- Explain how you handle negativity
- Ask supporters to focus on constructive engagement
- Don’t highlight specific trolls (which gives them attention)
9. Take Strategic Breaks
If trolling becomes overwhelming:
- Step away from comments for a day or two or forever
- Ask a friend to monitor engagement temporarily
- Focus on content creation rather than engagement
- Return when you feel mentally prepared
10. Document Persistent Harassment
For serious cases:
- Take screenshots of harassment
- Keep records of repeated patterns
- Document across platforms if the same person follows you
- This evidence can be helpful if legal action becomes necessary
When and How to Respond
When to Respond:
- The comment contains legitimate criticism mixed with rudeness
- Multiple people express similar concerns (might indicate a real issue)
- You can respond calmly and constructively
- You can use humor effectively without escalating
- You want to set a public example of handling negativity
Do NOT to Respond:
- The comment is purely hateful with no substance
- The person has a history of trolling behavior
- You’re feeling emotionally triggered or upset
- The comment involves bigotry, racism, or serious harassment
- Responding would give the troll the attention they seek
How to Respond Effectively:
- Wait before replying – Draft a response but sit on it for a few minutes.
- Keep it brief – Don’t write paragraphs defending yourself. It can show triggers.
- Stay professional – Your community is watching how you handle this.
- Ask clarifying questions – “What do you mean by that?”
- Thank them for feedback – Even if delivered poorly, it diffuses tension.
- Correct misinformation – If they’re spreading lies about you, say something.
- Close the loop – “Thanks for sharing your comment. I appreciate it.”
What NOT to Do with Trolls
🚫 Don’t take it personally – They don’t know you from a can of paint. Their words aren’t about you but their own issues.
🚫 Don’t argue endlessly – You won’t change their mind, and they are energy vampires.
🚫 Don’t engage with bigotry – Racist, sexist, or hateful trolls don’t deserve your attention. Delete, block, and report.
🚫 Don’t quit because of them – Never give in too the hate. Keep creating and being passionate about what you love.
🚫 Don’t highlight trolls – Sharing their comments broadly only amplifies their voice.
And most importantly:
🚫 Don’t become an internet troll yourself – Maintaining your integrity is more important than “winning.
Want more information on creating a welcoming space, see 8 Tips for Creating a Safe Space for more information.
Final Thought: Trolls Mean You’re Growing
Good, bad or indifferent, hate comments often increase as your audience grows. That’s a sign you’re reaching more people. The biggest creators in the world will still get trolled. They just learned how to handle it.
For inspiration on handling negativity, see Contently’s guide on dealing with online hate.
So keep going. Keep creating. And remember: The best revenge is success.
Your Next Steps
- Delete, block, or ignore toxic comments.
- Focus on supporters who lift you up.
- Use negativity as fuel to improve (or laugh it off).
You’ve got this. The world needs your perspective. don’t let internet trolls silence it. 🚀
Did this help you? Share it with another reluctant creator who needs to hear this! 💬✨
And Again: If the hate is rooted in racism, sexism, or bigotry, consider whether engaging will do more harm than good. Sometimes, the best response is silence and deletion.
