Calling Up Justice shares ideas and terms to help us resist trolling and bad faith communications online. We discussed this term during one of our Block Party livestreams. Learn more here about sealioning.

What does Sealioning mean?

Sealioning is an online trolling technique that involves persistent and disingenuous questioning, typically in the form of seemingly innocent requests for information or clarification. The term “sealioning” originates from a webcomic titled “Wondermark” by David Malki, where a character named Sea Lion engages in relentless, polite badgering.

In the context of online discussions, sealioning is often employed by trolls or individuals with an agenda to disrupt conversations or provoke emotional reactions. The sealion engages in a relentless cycle of asking questions, demanding evidence, or seeking further elaboration on a topic, often without genuine interest in understanding or engaging in a productive discussion.

Sealioning can be frustrating and time-consuming for the targeted person or group, as it creates an exhausting and repetitive cycle that detracts from the original topic at hand. It can also be used as a way to give the appearance of reasonable inquiry while actually derailing and undermining the conversation.

Ways to Resist Sealioning

Resisting sealioning can be challenging, but here are some techniques you can employ to deal with it effectively:

• Recognize sealioning tactics: Understand the typical patterns and characteristics of sealioning behavior. This awareness will help you identify when someone is engaging in sealioning and differentiate it from genuine curiosity or constructive questioning.
• Don’t take the bait: Sealions thrive on attention and getting a reaction. One way to resist their tactics is to avoid engaging with them directly. Instead, focus on the original topic or discussion and address the genuine inquiries or comments from other participants.
• Set boundaries: Clearly establish your boundaries and let the sealion know that you’re not obligated to engage with them indefinitely. If they do not respect your boundary BLOCK the Bad Faith Communicators
• Use concise responses: When responding to sealions, keep your answers brief and to the point. Avoid getting drawn into lengthy debates or providing excessive evidence.Repeat your points don’t debate them.
• Seek support from moderators or peers: If you’re dealing with sealioning in a moderated space or online community, reach out to the moderators or administrators and report the behavior. They can take appropriate actions to address the situation and possibly remove or warn the sealion.
• Disengage: If the sealioning persists, document the interactions, including timestamps, and disengage from the conversation entirely. Continuing to engage with a persistent sealion may only give them more fodder to continue their tactics. It’s better to step away and focus on more productive or positive discussions.

Remember, the goal of resisting sealioning is to protect your own well-being and maintain the integrity of the conversation. By recognizing the tactics and employing these techniques, you can minimize the impact of sealioning and maintain a healthier online environment.