When Betty started high school, she was an optimistic girl who made friends easily. However, within a year, she turned into a shy mouse. She was afraid to speak to anyone and spent as much time as possible in her room. What happened to change her so much? The short answer is Internet trolls.
當 Betty 開始上高中時，她是個樂觀的女孩，很容易就能交到朋友。然而，在一年內，她變得很膽怯。害怕與任何人說話而且盡可能待在自己的房間裡。發生了什麼事讓她改變這麼多？簡短的答案就是網路酸民。
Originally, a troll was a fierce mythical monster from Northern Europe. These days, trolls are those who like to cause trouble online. At first, trolls were just people who enjoyed stirring up arguments on the Internet. Now, the meaning also includes online bullies, such as those who harmed Betty.
本來 troll 是指北歐兇猛的神話怪獸。最近則用來稱呼那些喜歡在網路上興風作浪的人。起初，酸民只是喜歡在網路引發爭執的人。現在它的定義也包含網路霸凌者，像是那些傷害 Betty 的人。
Betty used to post photos on social media to share with her family and friends. At first, everything was fine. Then she started receiving rude comments about her photos. Anonymous people began saying horrible things about her looks and interests. Betty tried blocking those who made negative comments, but they kept making new accounts and saying even worse things. Being harassed again and again by strangers made Betty depressed.
Betty 過去會在社群媒體發布照片跟親友分享。起初一切都很好。然後她開始收到關於她照片的無禮評論。匿名人士開始對她的外貌和興趣說些難聽的話。Betty 試著封鎖貼出負面評論的人，但是他們繼續換新的帳號，說出更惡毒的言論。一再被網路陌生人騷擾讓她覺得很沮喪。
Betty considered giving up social media. However, she decided to try and understand why the trolls wanted to hurt her. She read reports about cyberbullies, and found out that they target teenagers the most. Typical trolls lack self-esteem, so they attack other people to make themselves feel better or more powerful. Most of them hide behind anonymous usernames. Trolling helps them cope with their low self-esteem. Sometimes, they do not realize the hurt they cause when victims take their attacks personally. Reading harmful comments can lead to depression.
Betty 曾經考慮要放棄社群媒體。然而，她決定要試著了解為什麼這些酸民要傷害她。她看了關於網路惡霸的報導，發現他們最常攻擊青少年。典型的酸民缺乏自信，所以他們會攻擊別人，讓自己覺得比較舒服或強勢。他們大多都隱藏在匿名的使用者名稱之下。酸言酸語幫他們面對自己低落的自尊心。有時候他們並不了解自己所造成的傷害，當受害者認為這些攻擊是衝著他們而來。閱讀傷人的評論可能會導致憂鬱。
As Betty read more, she learned four steps she could take to defend herself against trolls. First, she blocked them. Now, people can see her photos and posts only with her permission. Second, she deleted unfriendly posts as soon as she saw them. Third, she reported trolls to the site managers, who could identify trolls and take further action to stop them. Fourth, she followed the golden rule: "Do not feed the trolls." That meant not responding to any of their comments. Engaging in discussion with trolls only made them want to hurt her more.
當 Betty 看了更多資訊，她學到可以採取四個步驟來保護自己不受到酸民傷害。首先，她封鎖了他們。現在只有她同意的人才能看到她的照片和貼文。其次，她一看到不友善的貼文就刪除。第三，她把酸民呈報給網站管理員，他們便能揪出酸民並且採取進一步行動來阻止他們。第四步就是遵守黃金法則：「不要養大酸民的胃口。」那意味著不要對他們的任何評論有回應。加入酸民的討論只會讓他們想傷害她更深。
Betty took these steps, and got rid of the trolls. They lost interest or were prevented from seeing her posts. Now, she has regained control of her social media presence, along with her optimism and confidence.
Betty 採取這些步驟擺脫了酸民。他們失去興趣，不然就是無法看到她的貼文了。現在，她已經重新掌控社群媒體，並且回到樂觀而自信的自己了。
- optimistic [͵ɑptəˋmɪstɪk] adj.
樂觀的
Lisa was optimistic about the result of her English test because she had studied hard.
Lisa 對她的英文考試結果很樂觀，因為她有用功讀書。 - optimism [ˋɑptəmɪzəm] n.
樂觀
According to the news, there is a lot of optimism about the future of our country.
根據這則新聞，我們國家的未來非常樂觀。 - include [ɪnˋklud] v.
包括，算在內
The package tour includes free bus rides from the airport to the hotel.
這個套裝行程包括機場到飯店的免費公車搭乘。 - including [ɪnˋkludɪŋ] prep.
包含，包括
There were lots of people at the party, including a few celebrities.
很多人參加這場派對，包括一些名流在內。 - included [ɪnˋkludɪd] adj.
包含在內的
Everyone is excited about the coming field trip, me included.
每個人都對即將到來的戶外教學感到興奮，包括我在內。 - bully [ˋbʊlɪ] n.
霸凌者，以大欺小者
Only bullies are cruel to people who are weaker than themselves.
只有惡霸才會殘暴對待比他們弱小的人。 - bully [ˋbʊlɪ] v.
霸凌，欺負
Billy's mom was very angry when he bullied his little sister.
當 Billy 欺負幼小的妹妹時，他媽媽很生氣。 - bullying [ˋbʊlɪɪŋ] n.
霸凌
Bullying is common in many schools, though they try hard to stop it.
霸凌在許多學校都很普遍，雖然校方都盡量努力遏止。 - harm [hɑrm] v.
損傷，傷害
The dog may bark at you, but it won't harm you.
那隻狗可能會對你吠，但牠不會傷害你。 - harmful [ˋhɑrmfəl] adj.
有害的
This medicine can be harmful to young children, so keep it out of their reach.
這種藥可能會對幼童有害，所以將它保存在他們拿不到的地方。 - post [post] v.
在網路上貼出
Can you show me how to post a video on Instagram?
你可以示範給我看怎麼把影片發佈在 IG 上嗎？ - post [post] n.
網路發文
I made a couple of new posts on Facebook last night.
昨晚我在臉書上發了兩三篇新的貼文。 - comment [ˋkɑmɛnt] n.
評論，批評
Derek's funny comments about his fishing trip made everyone laugh.
Derek 對他這次去釣魚發表好笑的評論，逗得大家哈哈大笑。 - comment [ˋkɑmɛnt] v.
評論
So far, the president has not commented on the events in the Middle East.
目前為止，總統還沒有對中東的這些事件發表評論。 - horrible [ˋhɔrəb!] adj.
很糟的；恐怖的
Millie is a sensitive girl, so Jake's horrible words made her cry.
Millie 是很敏感的女孩，所以 Jake 的惡劣言語使她哭了。
The story about a horrible monster frightened the children.
那個關於恐怖怪獸的故事嚇到孩子們了。 - horror [ˋhɔrɚ] n.
驚恐，恐懼
Teddy watched in horror as a heavy tree fell onto his new car.
當笨重的樹倒在 Teddy 的新車上時，他驚恐地看著。 - horrify [ˋhɔrə͵faɪ] v.
使驚嚇，使恐懼
Seeing the road accident horrified Linda, and she couldn't sleep that night.
看到車禍讓 Linda 很害怕，她當晚睡不著。 - block [blɑk] v.
封鎖（電子郵件等）；堵塞
On my Instagram page I've blocked everyone except close friends and family.
我的 IG 網頁除了家人和好友之外，其他人一概封鎖。
A bus broke down and blocked the road outside our school.
一輛公車故障了，把我們學校外面的路堵住了。 - negative [ˋnɛgətɪv] adj.
負面的；否定的
Delia thought the TV show might have a negative effect on her children.
Delia 認為這個電視節目可能會對她的孩子有負面的影響。
Julia's negative reply to Lionel's invitation was disappointing to him.
Julia 回絕了 Lionel 的邀請，令他很失望。 - account [əˋkaʊnt] n.
（電子郵件等）帳戶；銀行帳戶
I have two email accounts, one for work and the other for personal stuff.
我有兩個電子郵件帳號，一個在工作時使用，另一個用於私事。
When Paul left school, he opened an account at a local bank.
當 Paul 離開校園之後，他在當地的銀行開了一個戶頭。 - depressed [dɪˋprɛst] adj.
沮喪的，憂鬱的
Denise is depressed about her missing cat.
Denise 因為貓走失了而沮喪。 - depress [dɪˋprɛs] v.
使沮喪
The bad news about the company depressed Katrina and her co-workers.
關於公司的壞消息讓 Katrina 和她的同事都很沮喪。 - depression [dɪˋprɛʃən] n.
沮喪，抑鬱
After his business failed, he suffered from depression for many years.
生意失敗之後，他有好幾年的時間都鬱鬱寡歡。 - target [ˋtɑrgɪt] v.
以...為目標
This TV ad targets people who want to lose weight quickly without exercise.
這個電視廣告鎖定想要快速減重又不想運動的人。 - target [ˋtɑrgɪt] n.
目標
Elderly people who live alone are often an easy target for criminals.
獨居的老年人往往是罪犯容易鎖定的目標。 - typical [ˋtɪpɪk!] adj.
典型的；典型作風的
This is a typical fast food place in Taiwan, so it's full of young people.
這是台灣典型的速食店，所以裡面都是年輕人。
It was typical of Andrew to forget his girlfriend's birthday.
忘記女友的生日是 Andrew 的典型作風。 - typically [ˋtɪpɪklɪ] adv.
典型地
The weather is typically rainy in April in Taiwan.
台灣四月典型的天氣是下雨。 - defend [dɪˋfɛnd] v.
防衛，防禦
Cilla is learning kung fu so that she can defend herself against any attackers.
Cilla 正在學武功，以便能防禦自己不被任何人攻擊。 - defense [dɪˋfɛns] n.
防禦
With its large army and air force, the country spends a lot on defense.
這個國家在國防上面耗費鉅資，有大批的陸軍和空軍。 - permission [pɚˋmɪʃən] n.
允許，同意
Kevin asked his dad for permission to use the car on a date.
凱文請求爸爸的允許，讓他開車去約會。 - permit [pɚˋmɪt] v.
准許，容許
The school does not permit students to leave the campus during the lunch break.
這所學校不允許學生在午餐時間離開校園。 - further [ˋfɝðɚ] adj.
進一步的；更遠的
If you need any further help, please let me know.
如果你需要任何更進一步的幫助，請告訴我。
There are only two houses on the street, and I live in the further one.
這條街上只有兩間房子，而我住在比較遠的那一間。 - respond [rɪˋspɑnd] v.
回應；回答
The teacher responded to Sam's bad manners with a warning.
老師用警告回應 Sam 的不守規矩。
Did you respond to the email from Mr. Fisher yet?
你已經回覆 Fisher 先生的電子郵件了嗎？ - response [rɪˋspɑns] n.
反應；回覆
The request for money to help the earthquake victims received a great response from the public.
捐款給地震災民的請求受到大眾的熱烈迴響。
In response to your question, the answer is no.
回覆您的問題，答案是不行。 - prevent [prɪˋvɛnt] v.
防止，阻止
The heavy rain prevented the airplane from taking off on time.
大雨使飛機無法準時起飛。 - prevention [prɪˋvɛnʃən] n.
防止，預防
New laws have been made for the prevention of online crime.
已訂定新法防止網路犯罪。 - regain [rɪˋgen] v.
恢復，收回
John trained very hard to regain his place on the basketball team.
John 為了能重回籃球隊而認真訓練。 - presence [ˋprɛzns] n.
出席，存在
Dora is usually very quiet in her teacher's presence.
有老師在的地方 Dora 通常都非常安靜。 - present [ˋprɛznt] adj.
出席的，在場的
All thirty students in the class were present today.
班上三十位學生今天全部出席。 - confidence [ˋkɑnfədəns] n.
信心，自信
I have a lot of confidence in you, and I know you won't disappoint me.
我對你很有信心，而且我知道你不會讓我失望。 - confident [ˋkɑnfədənt] adj.
有信心的
Eddie is very confident about making money in the stock market.
Eddie 對於在股市賺錢非常有信心。 - turn into
轉變成
David was a quiet boy but turned into a confident and clever young man.
David 本來是安靜的男孩，但後來蛻變成自信又聰明的年輕人。 - stir up
煽動，激起
The politician's careless comments stirred up a lot of trouble for the government.
這個政治人物無心的評論給政府招致許多麻煩。 - cope with
處理，應付
As a single mother, Brenda has to cope with three children as well as a busy job.
身為單親媽媽，Brenda 得應付三個小孩以及繁忙的工作。 - take...personally
對於...感到憤怒
Colin's joke wasn't about you, so there was no need to take it personally.
Colin 的玩笑與你無關，所以你沒有必要感到憤怒。 - take action
採取行動
If we don't take action to increase sales, we are going to lose a lot of money.
如果我們不採取行動提高銷售量，我們就會損失一大筆錢。 - engage in
從事
You are taking risks if you engage in dangerous activities such as skydiving.
如果你去從事跳傘之類的活動，你就是在冒風險。 - get rid of
去除，擺脫
It's been two weeks already, and I still can't get rid of this cold!
已經兩個禮拜了，而我還是無法擺脫感冒! - along with
以及
Maureen came to the picnic along with her best friend Tina.
Maureen 和她最要好的朋友 Tina 一起去野餐。
