Hi! I started posting about a month ago and my first 3-4 posts were consistently pegged with 6 downvotes and "flagged" within minutes of submitting the post. After about 5-6 posts it just stopped, thankfully. So I am wondering if, as you suggest, that is something they (whoever these bots/people are) are doing it to new steemit members to dissuade them from posting but once you continue and persevere they stop, perhaps? So don't let it get to you (and do seek solutions) and keep steeming no matter what.