DEAR DEIDRE: PEOPLE I don’t know on social media have torn me apart. 

I have been bullied on social media for allegedly trolling when I commented about the unbelievable plot lines in a popular TV series.

I am a 41-year-old man. The comments were justified in my opinion and it was simply my opinion but I have never heard the end of it.

This was a fictional series. I am well aware of social media trolling and the impact of social media on mental health but this feels over-the-top. I was not trolling and I am not a troll.

I talked to my fiancée about it but she told me not to take it to heart.

She said, “Don’t feed the trolls,” or waste precious time getting upset. I am an honest person and was only expressing a view.

I have been accused of being a conspiracy theorist when all I did was ask genuine questions.

I feel like coming off social media in view of this experience but I don’t want to let these people – the real trolls win.

DEIDRE SAYS: It sounds as if you are the one being trolled. A break from social media may help you re-calibrate. 

People who troll want to stir up trouble by saying negative things to deliberately upset you.

Trolling can be used to disrupt whole conversations and create division so that people aren’t able to engage in discussions.

If your online interactions are getting you down – it’s a sign that you may need to step back from them.

My support pack Staying Safe Online explains more.