For the past three years, I have had to deal with Internet trolls on a daily basis. I have had threats made against me for perceived wrong-doings, been called every name in the book (and some that I believe were made up!) and been told that I needed to kill myself to put the world out of its misery. When I first started working with Chris, I admit that these little idiots got to me. They really hurt me and made me question the work I was doing on more than one occasion. I quickly learned how to deal with them. I realized that they are nothing more than inconsequential morons who hide behind the anonymity of their computer connection. Their goal in life is to project their anger at the World onto others by attempting to hurt them. Realizing this was freeing: I took away their power to hurt me.
My daughter, however, is a different story. Anyone who knows me knows that you simply do NOT mess with my girls. I have been to hell and back in my life. I can tolerate and survive nearly anything that Fate throws my way and come out on top. Attempt to hurt my kids, though, and you’re going to pay for it. They are my life, plain and simple. They are the reason I get up every day and do the things I do. They are what drives me to be a better mom and a better person.
Recently, Chris sent me his iPhone 3GS after he had received his new iPhone 4. I was totally excited. I’ve never owned a smartphone of any type, so this would be completely new for me. Chris asked me to record an “unboxing video” to place on his YouTube channel. Those of you who know me at all know how much I LOATHE cameras, and why. I reluctantly agreed, knowing that the trolls would be out in full force. I was so nervous, though, that I asked my oldest daughter Ashley to join me in the video for moral support. She’s 21 years old, but still quite “new” at this whole Internet thing. Sure, she has a Facebook and uses Twitter occasionally. She’s never been subjected to most of the things that I do – and I’ve never told her about the trolls. Perhaps I should have.
One little asshole in particular chose the wrong person to mess with. The child (yes, child – he’s 14!) commented on the video and informed my daughter that he “hacked” us (which I KNOW isn’t possible) and knew where we lived. He claimed to her that he knew her phone number… and that he planned to rape her sometime this week. Needless to say, my kiddo freaked the hell out and rightfully so.
I admit it, y’all. I handled this badly at the start. I flew into a rage. I did not know at the time that this person was a young teenager. From all appearances on his own YT channel, he was an adult. That doesn’t matter, though. I couldn’t see past wanting him to hurt and be afraid the same way my daughter was. I turned to close friends on the IRC network, and asked them to troll him back. I wanted him to receive a taste of his own medicine. I wasn’t thinking clearly – or at all.
Before trolling the troller, my friends looked at his YouTube account. That is when they learned how young he is. By this time, I had calmed down considerably and knew that I did NOT want this handled this way. I wanted to take care of it properly – by contacting the authorities (and YouTube). Thanks to the power of the information people so willingly post on the Internet, I was able to turn over his full name, address, IP address, printed copies of the comment he left and more. The police have more than enough information to track the dreadful child down. I’m sure his parents will be amused to find out what he’s been up to online. And I sincerely hope he gets the professional psychiatric help he obviously needs. What 14 year old child goes around telling women they are going to rape them? Hello!
The moral of this story is that I blew it, gang. I KNEW better than to fly off the handle. I KNOW how to handle these situations. I have no excuses, other than the fact that when it comes to protecting my kids… I apparently act first and think later. I’ve never been faced with a situation before where THEY were threatened in any way. When they were, I turned into some type of mad woman for a short time. I apologize sincerely to those of you who were disappointed in my reaction. I learned a few lessons tonight, and hope that they will help someone else should they ever find themselves in this awful situation.
Ashley – remember what I told you tonight. Little pieces of slime like this mean NOTHING. Picture them with their little sandwiches in their mommy’s basement just like Chris said. They are people who have nothing better to do with their life than to make an ass out of themselves online. As the saying goes: you can’t fix stupid. 
Nice picture of the internet troll
And your right, “you can’t fix stupid”
Kat you did nothing more than any parent would. There is nothing wrong with that. It shows that you are a true caring parent. I commend you though in realising that trolling them back wouldn’t help. I’ve been in a similar boat before. As reporting them to the authorities is the beat action. I’m sorry that you have to deal with people like this daily. If people realize the pure amount of friends they could make rather than trolling, this world would be a better place.
In closing I commend you for taking action and then even changing said action when you realize how it wouldn’t help the situtation and turned it into a better action. That alone I think makes you an awesome parent! Ashley, you have an awesome Mom!
I’d like to say that I’ve never done any kind of trolling before, but I do have some awesome google-fu that made it incredibly easy to find his info. At the same time, what’s it say about those of us who were so ready to do the trolling?
A response to both You and Gnimsh,
The reason you were so willing to do the trolling is out of love for Kat and a desire to protect her own.
At least, that’s why I would have done, had I been around.
^-^
WHAT??? Someone threatened my Ashley?? Sis, I would have reacted the same way you did. Your first instinct is to protect Ash…no matter how old she is. I am glad you got this kids info and turned him in. Sad thing is, I doubt his parents care. Why would they let a 14 year old have a you tube account to begin with? Where have they been? What kind of upbringing is he getting that makes him think it’s ok to say such things to someone he doesn’t even know? I hope he gets into real trouble and learns his lesson. But I bet he is back on the internet right now “trolling” on someone else. Hope Ashley is ok. Tell her Aunt KK won’t let anything happen to her. Aunt KK may live 5 hours away, but my car will break the speed of light if I have to!!!!
You acted in the defense of your child, no matter old she is. That action does not need to be explained. It’s what any Good Parent would and should do. Handing it to the cops is a great way to deal with it. But, the rage needs an outlet. Since beating the little twit with a sledgehammer isn’t an option, venting to people that can understand is. And then having those same people help provide the means to bring him to justice. It just means you are surrounded by Good People.
You and Ashley and your family are infinitely better people than the child. I used to have kids come up to me and tell me, “Billy called me stupid!” And I’d ask them, “Are you?” Invariably the answer was a resounding, “NO!” And I’d ask, “Then what’s the problem, you KNOW better what you are. And what strangers think is of no importance at all.”
What that person thinks or says will never make any difference in the history of the universe. They will be a forgotten footnote buried on YouTube or Google.
“You will remember my nick forever, I will forget your’s before my head hits the pillow.”
And last words of Heinlein:
“Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity is not a sin, the victim can’t help being stupid. But stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death, there is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity.”
The universe takes care of its own.
All my best,
Fort
I think you acted just about the best way you can. She’s your daughter, you’re her mother. It is defending your child.
And when you figured out he was only 14, you chose the best route to deal with him. In dealing with it this way, you can be sure he will not do this to any other person again. His parents will hopefully choose the right way to straighten this out from here on, and you can bet that he will probably not have Internet privileges for a loooooong time
BTW… Loved the unboxing video. Especially the Finger Tips XD
Wow, I know how to navigate around a PC, But this troll stuff, its intense. I am sorry that anybody would be treated like that anywhere, never mind the internet. I am very busy at the moment, but one of these days I am going to enjoy reading all your blog.
Keep up all the good work that you do on Locker Gnome, and this great blog.
Regards,
Dave, AKA….JS Chisum
Hey Kat!
This is Thomas from #chris
Although I’m not a parent, I can totally understand your way of thinking and the way you reacted..you just did what a parent does best
I wish we could see footage of his parents tell the person off…
I admit, funny trolls..yea, they are nice to have around in very very very small numbers..but trolls like that, they just need to get a life.
All the best,
Thomas
Kat,
First thank you for your interest and help.
Chris has some of the best people working with him. The internet (the world) needs more people like you. Do not get discouraged and quite, the rest of us would suffer too.
I was glad to here you decided to turn ‘the problem’ over to the authorities. They are truly the best origination to handle such matters. (There is Vitto when you need him? LoL)