We interview Abbie, A plus-size lady who models Avon Pj's online and how she gets bombarded with trolls, why simply trying to put food on the table.
Why dealing with online trolls will not Stop Abbie from Modelling
Flowers bloom in the face of adversity. Anyone who has a social media account knows that it comes with ups and downs. While posting online can open you up to a world of possibilities and to meet like-minded people, it is not all sunshine and rainbows. People can sit behind keyboards and mount hate campaigns at people they have never met. Research shows that almost ¼ of adults have admitted to acting maliciously to someone they do not know on social media.
But what is it like to be on the other side of that? There are thousands of people who spend every day subjected to hate campaigns, fat-shaming, and online trolling. Abbie is one of those people. Our interview gives you an insight into what it is like to be navigating the world of social media as a plus-size woman.
Abbie Quinn says she will remain strong in the face of fat-shaming trolls.
Abbie has revealed she is open to abuse and horrible comments on Facebook.
As a plus-size woman – who wears between size 22 and 24 – having an online presence means I am the target on trolls daily.
But the 46-year-old mother of one, A Tesco worker and online Avon nightwear model, has remained defiant online trolls will not stop her from putting food on her table.
Abbie explained: I have taken the view I model on a platform with a potential reach of millions of UK users. I use the platform to sell Avon Nightwear, but some comments are off the mark.
To view Avon PJ's online - Click here
And if I think the comments are horrid. You should see the messages in my inbox, from sexually suggestive, telling me to get a proper job and fat-shaming me is all in a day work.
I like to think that I have good self-esteem. If we were all the same size, life would be boring. I would be lying if I said that it did not affect me.
Social media is an excellent platform for marketing and selling my products, and with that in mind, I try to shrug off the hate. But I am not going to lie. I have suffered anxiety, depression and on occasions, I have wondered if what I am doing is worth it.
You never know what is going on off the screen, and taking a poke at a person's weight could be the thing that puts them over the edge.
It is vital at these times to not let the troll win! After all, that is their goal to upset me.
I come off my phone, count to ten, make a cup of tea and remind myself it is not personal (though it can feel like it)
Then I can compose myself and return to do what I do best. Selling Avon online!
Fat-shaming is an unfortunate reality of being a plus-size woman online – but I want my story to help inspire other women to keep going. Most of the time, the people hiding behind anonymous accounts are venting their misplaced anger at you.
So yes, I do get down, I do get the tears, but at these times, I remind myself I have an abundance of self-love and body confidence. And I know these haters probably can not even face themselves in the mirror.
Even with the abuse that I get every day, I have no plans on slowing down – if anything, these comments make me want to post more.
To view Avon PJ's online - Click here
Why do people troll?
There is no single reason why people troll online, and it is different from one troll to the next.
Commonly people troll out of revenge, plain old attention-seeking, pure boredom or for their twisted amusement.
They lash out at people like Abbie, a successful online seller, Who enjoys her life and is happy because they are the polar opposite.
What is a troll?
An internet troll, as defined by Wikipedia, is:
“…a person who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog), with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses, or manipulating others’ perception.”
Or put in Abbie's own words "A troll loves to be a total dick online!
They thrive on my posts with their sarcastic and insulting comments. - The sad thing is, none of them is original, and I have seen the same comment(s) time and time again,
Could you be a Troll?
Have you seen something or someone on Facebook that you do not like or find funny? Have you been tempted to post an unkind comment or send a nasty message?
Before you do, why not put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if someone posts a nasty comment about you online? Would that not make you think twice?
Hiding behind a screen and keyboard is no protection.
We all know somebody who has lost a job or been jailed for posting abuse online.
Not only is it a horrible thing to do, but you are also risking your future by doing so.
Though it is not an excuse, people in the heat of the moment can post horrible content out of revenge or retaliation. If this is you, then delete the comment and apologise.
An apology can go a long way.
Dealing with online trolls is simple. Do not feed them!
This saying is as old as the word troll itself on the internet, yet it still holds.
Trolls thrive on your replies, often emotional. I know it is difficult
not to hit the reply button, but all I am doing is adding fuel to their fire.
Hopefully, by a policy of dignified silence, they will move on.
Comments (0)