Just say no to cyberstalking your critics
It is very, very infrequent that I am at a loss for words, but I was rendered speechless when I read this story about six former eBay employees who were arrested for harassing the authors of a newsletter that was critical of the company. The US Attorney’s office charged former eBay-ers with leading a cyberstalking campaign that included sending the newsletter authors anonymous, threatening messages, disturbing deliveries – including a box of live cockroaches, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig mask – and conducting covert surveillance of the victims.
What. The. Actual. What???
I have previously written about Bro culture in the workplace. This seems to have taken the baseline level of immaturity and sexism to the outer limits. While most Bro culture nonsense ranges in severity from ridiculous and juvenile to abusive, this is heinous and criminal. Oh, not just regular criminal either. These perpetrators were charged with federal crimes. Which means federal court. Which could mean federal prison.
From this point forward, any attempt to argue that Corporate America is occupied only by the best and brightest professionals who are super creative innovators driving bottom-line performance will be automatically null. That aside, this article did get me thinking about constructive ways you can respond to online critics. Here are some tips, none of which include sending your detractors pornography or installing a GPS on their vehicles.
Haters or critics? People who spew online vitriol are haters. They are simply filled with rage and offer nothing you can use. Ignore them. Critics differ from haters in that critics disagree with you, but don’t wish you pain or harm.
It’s not personal. Keyboard warriors cloak themselves in anonymity, even if they identify themselves. There is something dehumanizing about reading something on the screen. It’s not personal, and unless your detractor is a psychopath, most people would NOT react similarly in an in-person situation.
Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t respond to comments that are designed for the sole purpose of provoking a response. That is like oxygen to cyber trolls. Cut off their supply.
Decide if the criticism is helpful. Not all criticism is an attack. Much of the time, it is honest feedback that you can use to improve. Be critical in your evaluation of criticism.
Don’t respond in the heat of the moment. Don’t reply when you’re angry or upset. That is never a good idea.
Step away for a bit. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by excessive criticism and negative comments, take a break. Come back later and look at it again with fresh eyes.
My final piece of advice is this—you do not need to respond to everything. It is perfectly fine to simply leave the critical commentary out there without refuting it. I hope these tips will help you deal with online criticism and will help keep you out of federal prison!