Internet trolls

We've all seen them -- those nasty little comments at the end of an online news article or editorial. Some aren't so bad; others beg to be removed entirely. And while most people dislike, to some extent, "internet trolls," I'm hear to fight on their behalf.

Beware: troll!
Source: Creative Commons

Caution: I do not pretend to support and/or condone any comments that are hateful, mean-spirited, or otherwise unwarranted. I do, however, promote the idea that there are different types of trolls and certain comments can cross the line.

For those unfamiliar with trolls, or how to spot them, I recommend this site, which will walk you through some of the tips for identifying potential trolls. Not all trolls are bad. Some are designed merely to entice a reaction, maybe an unfavorable one, but a reaction nonetheless.

Where trolls get their bad name is from the posts that ridicule, insult, and otherwise harass certain people or groups, particularly the author of a given story. If a particular post is intended to hurt, then it is not necessary and should be removed. Just because a post takes an unpopular stance does not mean that it should not be considered. There are always at least two sides to every story.

Many would argue that the best way to get rid of trolls is to ignore them. Sure, this might work, but is easier said than done.

In the end, it is important to protect the rights of all user comments, as long as they are posted in an appropriate way. Yes, we are destined to deal with "trolls" on the internet forever, and rightfully so. Interaction among readers is a great learning tool. We should use it to the best of our ability.