This is a subject that keeps coming up, and at the moment, trolls and trolling is in the news more than ever. I recorded this podcast with X Factor finalist (and Sophie Callahan’s brother!) Sam Callahan a few weeks ago, before trolling was in the news as much as it is today. However, if anything, everything Sam says is even more important now. So without further ado, it’s over to Sam…
What it’s liked to be trolled with Sam Callahan
Trolls and trolling – every day I open any social media platform I see references to it. It is definitely the most unpleasant side of social media and it’s something that many people have to put up with. They shouldn’t have to, but it’s a lot more common than you think. And a lot darker too. For someone who would never dream of trolling, it’s very hard to get your head around the fact that these people, these trolls, dedicate such a huge amount of time to assassinate, lie about, and tear people down online. And that’s why I felt it was so important to get someone who’s experienced some pretty horrific trolling on the podcast. Not to shock or worry anyone, but to understand more about trolling, the impact that trolling can have, how widespread it is, and how to deal with it too. I’m so, so grateful to Sam for coming on and chatting. I think it’s something we all need to hear and appreciate.
On the podcast we talk about how the trolling started and when it escalated, and how it feels having your whole family dragged into trolling – as both Sam’s sister, Sophie, and his lovely mum have also been targeted by the trolls. We talk about how Sam deals with trolls, from how he dealt with them initially to how he deals with them now, drawing on the experience he’s gained over the last seven years of being trolled. He also talks about the time he was physically assaulted for being on the X Factor when drinking with a friend in a club.
We also talk about Sam’s ‘most dedicated’ troll. I couldn’t think of a better term, but I am sure we can agree that someone who has spent every day for the last God knows how many years putting out poisonous, untruths all over social media is dedicated. Sam talks through some of the comments that they’ve put out and shines a light on the kind of things that they’ve said and how he deals with it.
Sam has also received death threats, and we talk about that too. We talk about how he’s never had someone who has actively hated him on social media actually do what they say, but we also talk about how that’s still massively inappropriate, incorrect and needs to be reported. Any threat against your wellbeing or life should be reported to the police.
I asked Sam for his top tip on dealing with trolls. Here’s what he said:
- Any threat for physical harm like a death threat should be reported to the police. Even if you block a person they can set up another account and it’s important to have that record.
- Block people. Use the block button to stop those kinds of comments and stop people like this entering your world.
- Realise that the people who are trolling you are not normal people. You’re not getting criticism from someone who has authority. You wouldn’t take it from them in real life, so block and move on.
You can find Sam Callahan in all the places below:
