TROLLS: We’re not talking about the toys with the crazy hair here. We’re talking about one of the reasons that many people have turned away from social media — internet trolls.

A recent study said that 1 in 5 people in the state have admitted to having “trolled” someone in the past.

An internet troll is someone who posts inflammatory messages for their own amusement, an online bully rather than the schoolyard bully, but who hides behind a keyboard instead of on a playground.

A rude commenter can take the enjoyment out of participation, but you don’t have to let it.

The website for How To Geek advises “don’t feed the trolls.”

“Trolls seek out emotional responses and find provocation amusing, so replying to them or attempting to debate them will only make them troll more. By ignoring a troll completely, they will likely become frustrated and go somewhere else on the internet,” the site advises.

“You should try your best not to take anything trolls say seriously. No matter how poorly they behave, remember these people spend countless unproductive hours trying to make people mad. They’re not worth your time of day.”

From the website Webroot.com, here’s some more advice: “It is fairly easy to understand that the troll is the person with the problem, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to let vicious comments roll off if your “Teflon” layer isn’t thick enough. Even journalists, politicians and movie stars who have had years in the media spotlight where troll-attacks are everyday events sometimes feel the sting of a particularly nasty interaction.

“So take time for self-care and reach out in ways that the troll cannot influence the people who love and support you.”