The Trolling and Harassing at B/R: Why These Antics Must Be Stopped

During my time here at Bleacher Report, I have been here for the great ride. I have articles featured on the front page, published on other websites, and have been respected around my fan base.

Besides wanting to pursue my career as a writer by writing my blogs here, I am in this for fun. I have gotten my fair treatment by the community, and it is a very warm feeling every day when I get up in the morning to check here.

Yet, in the past month, I have seen a great trend occurring here at B/R: trolling and harassing.

Because I do this for fun, I don't let this affect my presence here, and simply block, or report it to Bleacher Report. But, unfortunately, it isn't enough anymore.

There are people who don't like the site and are trying to ruin it, while their are others who are out to get somebody. Personally, it is outright terrible, and I would like to share what has happened with both of these situations.

Trolling

The term "trolling" is greatly used here on B/R, and for good reason. Trolling can be either of the following definitions that have occurred on B/R.

1. Being an obnoxious troll is commenting on peoples articles in a way to try and rattle/ hurt them. Things include cursing, slurs, and threats.

2. Another way of becoming a troll on B/R is creating another account to hide your identity if you want to either say something disturbing to another member. In today's world, it means "you don't have the balls to say it to my face."

3. By creating another account, they also use this extra account to help them, such as clicking the POTD button 10-15 times in hope of getting an award. It can also be used by badmouthing a current writer in wanting to get a top spot.

Harassing

Unfortunately, it has been occurring here lately. Such ways of harassing people is creating other accounts by posting on their BB's and giving threats and trying to start arguments. Other reasons is simply being jealous of a writer and start fighting on their BB.

Recently, the B/R Staff added the "block user" feature on there. They have also added a private message tab, which to me, seems like it has been made to make these spouts private instead of being seen.

However, I have seen new writers come and go within days because of people saying how their articles "suck". I also remember a few weeks ago one guy leaving after being called a " fat-ass" and a fat "f***".

In general, just crazy things happening here. I,don't let this bother me, however, it has come to a point where these arguments are happening daily, and many of them are transpiring onto the comment section in the articles.

I, as a dedicated writer here, am getting disgusted with the child BS that is happening here. Grow up and enjoy the site please. In this world there are to many a-holes, and it isn't looking good. Because of that, this is what I propose.

* Banning the use of multiple accounts without confrontation of B/R Staff.*

Half of the problem is these new accounts, and it is hurting B/R. With technology today, you can track down peoples IPs. I think it is time to take action where you will have to validate accounts, or at least checking to make sure someone isn't using multiple accounts.

* Second, permanently ban users who commit harassment to members here on B/R.*

This needs to be enforced most of all. Half of B/R doesn't follow every term of rules we have here, which does include the harassing. Maybe certain people can search through B/R such as articles or BB's to see when this occurs, because I think you may find one sort of action a day.

I haven't really spoken out to the community about this, as frankly, I have had nothing to say. But now this needs to be acted upon, in order to improve the great reputation Bleacher Report already has.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com