Proven Ways to Stay Positive About Negative Online Comments

After a few of my Reels and TikTok videos going semi-viral, I’ve wanted to talk about how to handle critics and negative online comments! In 2020, no one is safe from unwanted feedback, or even trolls. Many people have resorted to using their negative energy about the current state of the world as bait on the Internet. Don’t let it get you down! Here are some tips and tricks I use for when receiving reactions on social media as a full-time blogger:

8 Ways to Stay Positive When You Get Negative Feedback Online

Constructive Feedback Vs. Hateful Comments

Know the difference between constructive feedback and hate. One can be used for good, the other is unnecessary! Constructive criticism is when someone gives advice that is actionable and framed in a positive manner to provide a path to change. These types of comments are bound to happen in the age of information where everyone has the ability to speak up about subjects! The difference with hate is that it doesn’t provide guidance on anything can be changed and is often rooted in negativity. 

Comment Moderators and Filters for Negative Online comments

Yes, you can set up comment moderations! Most social media apps offer word filters, and you better believe I have some words turned off! If you know of phrases that are triggering or upsetting to you, filter them from your comment section. On Instagram, the user won’t be able to comment at all, and on TikTok, their comments will show up to the commenter themselves, but no one else (even you). On IG, you can also restrict users so that only you can see their comments, and they cannot see if you’ve read their messages… but you don’t have to block or unfollow them!

UPDATE: you can now see the filtered comments on TikTok and manually approve them! No one else will see the filtered comment until you approve it.

Learn from the Advice

If the response is negative, but good advice, use it as a learning moment to grow. Apologize, and respond with kindness. We’re all human and are prone to mistakes, but showing grace in our errors is the best we can do! If you want to extend this further, bring awareness to others by sharing to your stories or pinning the comment! You may help someone else learn from your mistake.

Stand up for Your Morals and Ethics with Negative Online Comments

If the commentary is racist, sexist, or derogatory, use it as a teaching moment and educate the commenter on why you won’t stand for such discussion. It’s important to tell the commenter that what they said is not right and that you expect them to stop. Don’t argue, but make your point. Here is a post I wrote about being an ally, and I stand by this post whenever negative comments are made about marginalized communities.

Block and/or Report Accounts

Furthermore, don’t be afraid to block, or even report, accounts that are crossing the line. At the end of the day, this is your social media space and you have the right to remove unwanted users from contacting or viewing what you post. Blocking an account disallows them from viewing or engaging with your social media. If they are harassing you or are hiding behind a fake account (acting as a bot), reporting them to the app is the best route of action!

UPDATE: If you have a general idea of who the person is (their name, email, or phone number), you can try to figure out who the troll is on Instagram. Before blocking them, go to “login” with a new account. Type in the troll account name, then hit “forgot password”. IG will show you a portion of their email address and/or phone number associated with that account. This is only helpful if you have a pretty good hunch of who the troll is, though.

Use Banter to Comment Back

If appropriate, use sass! Banter eases tensions and can make a bad situation better. Lean in on the hurtful joke and make light of it! Wendy’s on Twitter is my role model for this and has many examples of turning a negative comment into something funny.

Know Your Worth

It should be noted that your worth doesn’t change because some people don’t like you! Someone once told me that every person is born with the same worth of their soul. No amount of money, fame, or even hate, can change the worth of that soul. You’re worth it, and don’t forget it!

Kindness Counts

Above all else, remember that hurt people try and hurt other people. Using kindness, positivity, and respect is always best in these situations. When I get negative feedback online, I try to place myself in that commenter’s shoes. They either feel passionate on the subject and just want to be heard, or they are channeling their negative feelings into being a keyboard warrior. Most of the time, the unwarranted comments come from the commenter feeling dissatisfaction somewhere else in their own life. Remember that and respond with care.