“Forget it, it’s just a troll.” “Don’t reply, it’ll pass.” We often hear these words, and sometimes they are true. But online, the line between an opinion and an attack is sometimes crossed without us realising it. Learning to recognise a dangerous comment is the first step towards protecting your safety, not only online, but in real life.
This capsule details the unmistakable signs: obsession, when an abuser comments on every post, even old ones, to show he is watching; direct intimidation (“I know where you work”, “I’ll find you”), which is not an insult but an attempt at control; doxing, when someone publishes an address, a phone number or information about loved ones; and gender contempt, when sexist insults or sexual threats replace debate. A sign never to ignore: moving from public comments to private messages, which aims to isolate.
What to do? Never downplay it, don’t delete straight away but capture evidence, block and report, and talk to an association or a help platform. Your safety is not negotiable, neither in the street nor on your screen.
