A Reminder About Sockpuppet Accounts!

Hey there everyone!

I'm sure the majority of us here know what a sockpuppet account is, and why I'm making this post. But for those of you who don't, I'll give some background information.

What is a sockpuppet account?

A sockpuppet account is when someone online, specifically a troll (usually), creates multiple accounts to disguise their identity and pretend to be someone else while continuing to troll. These are made to avoid being banned and/or acknowledged by others.

Why do I keep hearing about sockpuppet accounts?

Recently, both in the Gaehive and on TPC (but most commonly on the Gaehive), there has been a rise in sockpuppet accounts. This started about a week or two ago, and has since caused an irregular amount of chaos for the Gaehive, involving stress and decreasing mental health There's been a wide discussion about it, which is why I'm chiming in and deciding to talk about it here.

So, here's what you need to know.

What do I do if a sockpuppet messages me?

Do NOT respond. Simply delete the comment (if you can) and/or ignore it. Do not bring it up publicly. Sockpuppets are a very easy trigger for drama. Report and move on.

What do I do if a sockpuppet starts trolling the studio?

Same rules apply no matter what. Report and move on. Do not comment about it. Simply go on with your day. Sockpuppets feed off of attention.

What do I do if a sockpuppet upsets me or someone else?

Do not bring it up publicly (or where a sockpuppet will see it). Remember, they feed off of attention. Seeing their impact will motivate them. Reach out to a friend, family member, hotline, etc. Take care of yourself, and maybe take a break.

What do I do if I find a sockpuppet account?

Message the Scratch Team and report the account. If it's on TPC, inform Isla ASAP. Not sure if it's a sockpuppet account? That brings us to our next question;

What do I do if I think someone is a sockpuppet?

If you're on Scratch, do not talk to them. If they talk to you first, engage as little as possible. Speak to a manager (And not just Isla! Managers exist for a reason) if you have suspicions. If you're on TPC, message Isla ASAP. She has the ability to check IP's and see if someone may be a sockpuppet.

There's one last thing, one that's quite important.

Here's what to look for in a sockpuppet account:

- Similar behavior(s) to other sockpuppets, such as online hours, aesthetics, typing styles/quirks, and vocabulary.

- Account having been made after another account was banned and immediately asking to join the Gaehive.

- Similar username to another sockpuppet.

- Talking to the same people that other sockpuppets targeted.

- (TPC specific) Obscure profile url (such as "nbcosw8829" this is not a real example) these urls usually indicate that the user used a fake email because their original email was banned.

So remember: if you find a sockpuppet account, all you need to do is:

1. Report.

2. Ignore.

3. Move on.

It's that simple!

That concludes this post. Happy Holidays, and stay warm!

Merry Christmas/Hanukkah Sameach/Habari Gani!