There's a lot of unrest on X - the social media site formerly known as Twitter - at the moment, because owner Elon Musk is threatening to amend the function of the block button.
Currently, blocking an account stops them from seeing our posts, and prevents them from interacting with us. Musk's idea is to water it down so the blocked person can see our post, but still can't interact with it.
Currently, blocking an account stops them from seeing our posts, and prevents them from interacting with us. Musk's idea is to water it down so the blocked person can see our post, but still can't interact with it.
This means that the blocked account will be able to take a screenshot of our post, and add it as a photo to a comment. Oh, wait a minute, though: my trolls have been doing that for the best part of a decade, despite me blocking them. So, making this change to the blocking process won't actually change anything, except make it a little easier for determined trolls to continue their campaign of targeted harassment.
 | Not long after acquiring Twitter, Musk stopped access to the site to anyone who doesn't have an account. Previously, anyone could view Twitter in the same way as viewing any other website. So, in theory, blocking should mean that we become completely invisible to these trolls. But, of course, after being blocked, trolls simply create another account which they use to spy on those they're stalking. Determined trolls have always been able to get round a block in this way, which is why changing the block button's function won't make any real difference. |
In my own case, I've only ever had one Twitter / X account (although I did have access to a football club's account several years ago when I covered their matches as a reporter. But that stopped at the end of 2014). However, my trolls wrongly say to this day that I have other accounts to spy on them. The irony of this is quite pronounced: They use alternative accounts to spy on me, so they're doing exactly what they falsely accuse me of doing.
I've not viewed their accounts from the day they blocked me several years ago. One of my followers also follows them, and occasionally lets me know if they say anything particularly nasty about me. That's only happened twice in the last few months.
The first of those, was when my baby grandson was seriously ill in intensive care just after his birth. I asked for good wishes and prayers, and a troll responded with an image of a "victim card." That upset me more than I can possibly tell you, and changed my opinion of these people. Until then, I'd simply thought of them as being misguided, genuinely believing the false things they were saying. But that post showed the true depth of their toxicity.
More recently, I criticised the new Labour Government for stopping the Winter Fuel Allowance for all pensioners, saying the threshold for claiming Pension Credit urgently needs looking at, as thousands of pensioners will miss out by just a couple of pounds (I've always donated mine to an age-related charity, as I don't need it). Apparently, the person who upset me about my grandson, has the same disrespect for those pensioners, as I'm told he posted "Cry me a f****** river." (Since originally writing this article, I've been told the "river" comment was directed solely at me losing my WFA, and not at genuinely needy pensioners. I'm happy to accept that, and apologise for getting it wrong).
All my trolls have long since been blocked, but it seems they still actively seek out my posts and comment in this way. I'm sure everyone would feel safer online by continuing to have this extra layer of invisibility in place, meaning that trolls have to take the time and effort to actively use their alternative account to seek out their victims. But. in reality, Musk's plan to change the block button isn't quite the Stalker's Charter some people are making it out to be. It just means it's a little easier for trolls to do what they've always done.
As ever, I'm willing to talk openly with anyone who has an issue with me. Two-way communication can often resolve hostility if both sides are willing to present their case and listen to the other side.
I've not viewed their accounts from the day they blocked me several years ago. One of my followers also follows them, and occasionally lets me know if they say anything particularly nasty about me. That's only happened twice in the last few months.
The first of those, was when my baby grandson was seriously ill in intensive care just after his birth. I asked for good wishes and prayers, and a troll responded with an image of a "victim card." That upset me more than I can possibly tell you, and changed my opinion of these people. Until then, I'd simply thought of them as being misguided, genuinely believing the false things they were saying. But that post showed the true depth of their toxicity.
More recently, I criticised the new Labour Government for stopping the Winter Fuel Allowance for all pensioners, saying the threshold for claiming Pension Credit urgently needs looking at, as thousands of pensioners will miss out by just a couple of pounds (I've always donated mine to an age-related charity, as I don't need it). Apparently, the person who upset me about my grandson, has the same disrespect for those pensioners, as I'm told he posted "Cry me a f****** river." (Since originally writing this article, I've been told the "river" comment was directed solely at me losing my WFA, and not at genuinely needy pensioners. I'm happy to accept that, and apologise for getting it wrong).
All my trolls have long since been blocked, but it seems they still actively seek out my posts and comment in this way. I'm sure everyone would feel safer online by continuing to have this extra layer of invisibility in place, meaning that trolls have to take the time and effort to actively use their alternative account to seek out their victims. But. in reality, Musk's plan to change the block button isn't quite the Stalker's Charter some people are making it out to be. It just means it's a little easier for trolls to do what they've always done.
As ever, I'm willing to talk openly with anyone who has an issue with me. Two-way communication can often resolve hostility if both sides are willing to present their case and listen to the other side.
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