THE Daily Telegraph has today launched a petition aimed at stopping the vile and abusive trolls on Twitter, facelessly and mercilessly attacking not just celebrities and sports stars but other everyday users simply for the thrill.

Our goal is to push for Twitter to be obligated to work with authorities when these cowards break the law, bully or abuse others simply because they can, hiding behind the anonymity of their keyboard.

#StopTheTrolls: Sign the petition here (Twitition has returned to normal, making sign-up a simple process)

Change.org: Sign our petition to make internet trolls and bullies accountable for their Tweets

(We have also established a new petition at change.org for those not on Twitter to register their support)



Already our #StopTheTrolls petition is being supported by Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, Dally M medallist Ben Barba and fellow league star Josh Dugan, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, New South Wales Police Minister Mike Gallacher and celebrity Charlotte Dawson. And you too can make a difference.

#StopTheTrolls comes after Wests Tigers captain Farah contacted police over anonymous comments about his mother, who died in June.

"Whilst I'm all for banter on Twitter and people expressing their opinions, this was personal about my late mother who I am still grieving about," he said, reading from a prepared statement.

"As a rugby league player ... I know I will get positive and negative messages and I need to be accountable for the way I respond. However, the tweet I received last night clearly crossed the line and was personal abuse of the worst possible kind. Not only to myself, but to my family."

Have you been trolled? Tell us below or simply have your say on #StopTheTrolls

It's no secret bullying and cyber bullying can lead to self-harm and we are determined to make a difference in the lives of people that feel helpless to stop it.

People should not be forced off Twitter by trolls - that's simply ignoring the problem. We must stop treating the symptoms and tackle the real issue – stamping out trolling and bullying.

Digitally sign our petition to help try to make Twitter a better place for all users. Join our campaign and show your support to #StopTheTrolls

Celebrity Twitterer Charlotte Dawson, a victim of trolls, said: “Everybody has a right to enjoy Twitter. If a Twitter user is subject to bullying, harassment and intimidation, they shouldn't have to stop using Twitter.”

Attorney general Nicola Roxon said: "Cyber bullying is reprehensible and has no place in our society.

"It is against the law to use social media in a harassing way.

"What we need is strong cooperation from governments, law enforcement and the community. But we also need the assistance of US based social networks like Twitter.

"I have already discussed this issue with the NSW Government and want to work cooperatively with all my state counterparts."

You can show your support by helping #StopTheTrolls become a world-wide trending topic on Twitter, ensuring it gains the attention of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. You can also “Like” our Facebook page dedicated to #StopTheTrolls as a way of showing your support.

Here’s a few tips to protect yourself against trolls and bullies online:

DON’T RETORT – REPORT

Trolling is sustained, targeted and vicious behaviour towards a person online, often from a fake or anonymous account. If it happens to you this is what you should do:

RECORD

Take a screen grab of the offending message with the user’s name and Twitter handle and save it as evidence.

REPORT

Report the user to the social media outlet or forum moderator. In extreme cases you can also make a complaint to the police.



BLOCK

Don’t engage with the troll, just block them. Ignoring them is their worst nightmare.

Remember, trolling is not just criticising or disagreeing with someone or even saying something offensive. It is targeted abuse towards an individual.

So let’s make the real trolls pay and keep the Internet fun for the rest of us.

Change.org: Sign our petition to make internet trolls and bullies accountable for their Tweets

(We have also established a new petition at change.org for those not on Twitter to register their support)

If you need help, support or advice, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636