Dia Mirza: I have faced my share of trolling, but I don’t respond to trolls with disrespect

Dia Mirza (Photo/AFP)

Actor and environmentalist Dia Mirza says she has embraced social media wholeheartedly and is utilizing the medium to talk about the work that she does and the causes she supports. Trolls, don't really bother the actress!

"For me, social media has been such a powerful instrument to talk about the things that I want to and for most of the advocacy work that I do. I have never looked at it as something that is harmful. Of course, misinformation is extremely harmful, and there are all kinds of ruthless people who are disrespectful. But for the most parts, I have managed to have extremely positive interactions with people across all platforms," said Dia Mirza, while talking to ETimes.

Besides acting career, Dia Mirza has been at the forefront of conversations about climate change. She made her acting debut in 2001 with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. Today, she is also a producer and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador and United Nations Secretary-General Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

Talking about dealing with social media trolls and online abuse, Dia Mirza said, "There have been some phases where I have faced my share of trolling, but I don't respond to trolls with disrespect, instead, I choose to not engage with them beyond a point. I feel that when you are clear about what you are doing and are honest, then what people say shouldn't bother you, and it doesn't affect me at all."

A few days ago, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar had shared the experiences that made her leave the social media platform Facebook entirely. She said that because of the extreme levels of trolling and abuse she has faced, she is reluctant to sign into the negative energy on Twitter, and has had to switch off the comments on her Instagram account.

Zoya has been repeatedly targeted and attacked for her Muslim identity, gender, and looks by both men and women. Most devastating are comments that threaten either physical or sexual violence. She says, "Social media gives people anonymity while bullying and abusing just about anyone and there is no accountability. The fact that social media platforms enable the abusers of women by not identifying them or holding them accountable is a recipe for disaster because it is just a matter of time before the virtual abuse seeps into real spaces."