Jim Barrington on remaining serene in the face of online trolling

In the Countryside Alliance's Spring 2017 magazine, animal welfare consultant Jim Barrington writes a topical article about the rise of online trolling, what it means and how to remain calm in the face of abuse and intimidation.

Jim muses: "The fact that many of these 'keyboard activists' are anonymous – or so they think – only adds to their bravado. Indeed, those who consider themselves 'activists' should re-think the term, as lying in bed firing off vitriolic comments about those with whom they disagree can hardly be described as 'activism'."

He also ends on an optimistic note, observing that: "As far as those campaigning for repeal of the Hunting Act are concerned, the insults, slurs and accusations mean just one thing – opponents are angry and frustrated that hunting, albeit in a different form, is still continuing; why else the torrent of childish and ignorant internet abuse? So, despite all those insults, accusations, lies and obscenities, it is important to realise why it is happening… and, in that regard, maybe what is worse than being tweeted about, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, is not being tweeted about."

Read Jim's piece 'The anti-social face of social media' on page 33 of the Countryside Alliance magazine.