for thinking the 'Twittersphere' throws up some very nasty individuals

Why did it need announcing? I know the answer of course: for the publicity.

Yes, I know that's cynical. but it may still be true.

So where should he have announced his engagement, jingl?

There are nasty people everywhere. I don't do Twitter or FB, but am on a few social forums. High level bullying and some nastiness can be reported to Twitter, it is now a criminal offence [depending on what is said.]Famous people and even minor celebs have to put up with a lot.

Announcing his engagement in The Times could be viewed as being slightly pretentious.

Ignoring low level bullies works in rl.

But if they post on the internet, the nastiness is shared to a much wider audience.
I still think that if it is low level, it should be ignored.
But there are always always people that will respond on the internet. Which unfortunately keeps them going, and motivates them further.

The higher level bullies should be reported.
In actual reality they rarely carry out anything they are writing. But it will happen one day.

Good point, absentg, about my not having just got engaged to Someone Famous. Is she famous too? You'd think the addictiveness thing might be overcome by too much exposure to nastiness, at least temporarily, but apparently it isn't. Caroline Criado-Perez said she should have blocked and reported when she received abusive tweets instead of reading them and suffering as a consequence.

I would never tell anyone they should have a Twitter account, or any other kind of account come to that. Why do people do that?

Oh! Should mention. The 'family' are lovely little dachshunds.

You can find some lovely people on Twitter. There are these two gay vicars - they got married recently - and they have just had the fourth addition to their gorgeous little family. Very sweet.

It seems to me that all internet forums expose some nastiness.
It is the equivalent of mixing with people that you normally wouldnt mix with in rl.
I vastly limit my personal exposure to the internet as a whole because of it.

With the greatest of respect Thatbags I don't think you've just got engaged to the nation's heartthrob. Fortunately for you and lots of other 'quiet' tweeters you don't do anything to invoke the ire of other tweeters who don't happen to agree with your thoughts or actions.

Stephen Fry was one of the first to sign up to a twitter account and in 2009 he was so fed up with the nastineess and agression he had encountered he left for a while... he's back but is quitting again until December... for some unknown reason It's obviously addictive!

I've been told countless times that I should have a Twitter account for 'self- promotional purposes'. Call me a coward but I don't feel like putting my head above the parapet in order to have it shot off for promotional purposes

I have "been on" Twitter for a while. I have never (repeat, NEVER) encountered any rudeness. One chooses who to engage with on Twitter (as on other forms of social media); one doesn't have to engage with unpleasantness.

Stop blaming Twitter and ignore the toerags. If you use Twitter, block immediately anyone who gives you grief. It's very simple. There is also a report facility. People can and are traced for criminal abuse.

I don't dislike Twitter. I dislike nasty people. I always have disliked nasty people.

Me too, I couldn't agree more. That's why I don't have a twitter account. I do look at FB but hardly ever comment. I just like to be nosey.