Why are we trolling anybody at all for that matter?
In the digital age, trolling on social media seems to be part of the deal.
The more your online presence grows, the more abuse that follows.
Sadly, for the sake of their careers, creators, influencers, and celebrities have had to learn to tune out the unjustified and misdirected anger from cyber bullies.
High-profile names have to alter their social media experiences to limit or minimise the unsolicited opinions of relentless trolls.
For one, Irish broadcaster, Katja Mia, recently admitted that she has been subjected to a degree of trolling that she made the decision to phase her loved ones off her social media account for their protection.
Speaking to the RTÉ Guide, the Six O’Clock Show, sadly, admitted that trolling on the likes of TikTok and Instagram is ‘nothing new’.
“I’m still trying to be carefree and authentic and real; that’s just who I am. But I don’t put up much about my relationship or my family,” she explained to the magazine.
“I’m already getting trolled for my body or my job, but I wouldn’t want them to come for my family because obviously they didn’t put themselves out there.”
While she has chosen this career path in spite of its downfalls, she says she was particularly affected during her time appearing on Dancing With The Stars.
The reality TV competition is a show where participants are pushed far out of their comfort zones, physically and mentally.
“I think at that particular moment, I was quite sensitive because we were at the height of the show,” she told the magazine.
“Everyone is working so hard. You’re being tested. You don’t have much time to see family and friends. When you’re tired and then something you might scroll across in the comments might just get to you that day.
“That week I was definitely extra sensitive, but trolling is something that I think a lot of people in the media will get on a weekly basis.”
However, Katja, has, unfortunately, gotten used to this side of social media and recognises that it takes a certain type of individual to send an abusive or insulting message to someone they don’t know.
She firmly believes that it’s the people who are ‘not happy’ that spread this vitriol online.
“I think when you’re doing well in your life, there’s always going to be people that want to bring you down. They’re not happy.
“They might not know your story so they just want to look for any way to bring you down because they think you’re up on a high horse, but of course, you’re not.”
Of course, Katja isn’t the first Irish name to be on the receiving end of unwarranted hate due to their high profile status and success.
Co-founder of the Head Plan, a wellness, gratitude, and productivity journal, Denise Kenny Byrne, recently opened up about her experience with trolling in 2021.
Speaking on the Unveiled podcast with hosts, Niamh Cullen and Nessa Morrissey, the Irish entrepreneur said it really ‘threw her’ during her fertility journey.
During a live with Roxy Nafousi, a self-development coach, manifesting expert, and author, they were discussing manifesting when a troll verbally attacked her.
“Someone set up an account, sent in a comment on the live [saying]: ‘If you’re so good at manifesting, why don’t you manifest that baby you so desperately want and I had to continue this live.
“I feel like that was when I really was like, ‘I’m just going to really pull back’.”
This led to Denise worrying about what others thought of her passions, something that trolls set out to do.
“Not only did they not get manifesting but I felt irresponsible that people weren’t understanding manifesting and thinking that I was failing by doing something that I believed in so much.”
How about we start celebrating and being happy for people when they do well?
Instead of getting jealous, get inspired!
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