--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What “don’t feed the trolls” misses is…" description: "\"“What “don’t feed the trolls” misses is that, for these online cybersexist abusers, it doesn’t matter whether or not a woman responds to their abuse. T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/bailey-poland-41130_first-place_what-don-t-feed-the-trolls-misses-is-tha_1218214.jpg" --- # What “don’t feed the trolls” misses is that, for these… ![“What “don’t feed the trolls” misses is that, for these online cybersexist abusers, it doesn’t matter whether or not a woman responds to their abuse. The payoff for these types of “trolls,” as mentioned earlier, is the ability to say horrendous things to women and never face real consequences for…” quote by Bailey Poland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/bailey-poland-41130_first-place_what-don-t-feed-the-trolls-misses-is-tha_1218214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/bailey-poland-41130_first-place_what-don-t-feed-the-trolls-misses-is-tha_1218214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/bailey-poland-41130_first-place_what-don-t-feed-the-trolls-misses-is-tha_1218214.jpg) > ““What “don’t feed the trolls” misses is that, for these online cybersexist abusers, it doesn’t matter whether or not a woman responds to their abuse. The payoff for these types of “trolls,” as mentioned earlier, is the ability to say horrendous things to women and never face real consequences for doing so. How a woman reacts is beside the point... None of it makes a difference if the victory is being able to send the threat in the first place, know that the intended victim has seen it, and never face any consequences.”” [Bailey Poland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bailey-poland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trolls seek power by threatening women; the victim’s reaction is irrelevant to their goal. **In simple terms:** Trolls want to intimidate, not converse. Key Takeaway Ignore and report, don’t engage. Themes online harassment gender violence digital safety Mood angry urgent Type warning advocacy When to use this quote - social media platforms - comment sections - private messaging Key Concepts psychology of aggression anonymity power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What policies could deter trolls? - How can victims protect themselves? A Different Perspective Legal enforcement often lags behind online abuse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Twitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twitter/) ## Related quotes > [Don't feed the trolls; nothing fuels them so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/don-t-feed-the-trolls-nothing-fuels-them-so-much/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I tend to feed the trolls because it gives me material for my work. I'm sometimes taken aback by the racist and antisemitic abuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baddiel/i-tend-to-feed-the-trolls-because-it-gives-me-material-for-my-work-i/) [David Baddiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baddiel/) > [Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, which is an ancient way of saying 'Don't feed the trolls.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jesus-tells-us-to-turn-the-other-cheek-which-is-an-ancient-way-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So this is why I can't agree with "don't feed the trolls." When millionaire celebrity broadcasters and entire publications start trolling, ignoring them isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/so-this-is-why-i-can-t-agree-with-don-t-feed-the-trolls-when/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [I have learned not to feed the trolls. 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Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“But the process should not be confused with science. When tests are used as selections devices, they're not a neutral tool; they become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-whyte/but-the-process-should-not-be-confused-with-science-when-tests-are/) [William H. Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-whyte/) ## More by Bailey Poland > [“This story is not at all an uncommon one in tech circles, including gaming. 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