A BRIEF INTRODUCTION to TROLLS
Almost all Internet users have personally crossed paths with or witnessed the operations of an Internet “troll” at least once in their virtual lives. However, not all of them most likely acknowledged the third party involved in those encounters as a “troll,” either because they did not recognize the trolling attempt or because they do not fully understand what classifies as trolling. As a relatively new social phenomenon, Internet trolling remains an obscure and vastly unexplored topic both in the real world and in academic research. Most people loosely categorize trolling as “any Internet user behavior that is meant to intentionally anger or frustrate someone else,” (KnowYourMeme, 2010). This largely ambiguous definition permits a rudimentary understanding of the devious Internet villain, who has infiltrated social media, wreaking havoc in online communities to the extent of raising public concern. Recent reports of negative consequences attributed to trolling, especially the most extreme cases involving the suicides of trolling victims, have prompted social scientists to pursue a deeper understanding of trolls and their growing subculture. Based on quantitative studies of various social-networking websites and extensive interviews with self-identified trolls, researchers have begun to synthesize a more precise and elaborate definition of a troll, to identify common types of trolling behaviors, and to gain an emic perspective on the trolling subculture. From this knowledge, social scientists have begun to explore several psychological explanations for a troll’s antisocial tendencies, which typically materialize exclusively in the virtual world. According to Suler’s theory on the online disinhibition effect, Internet trolls callously engage in deceptive, disruptive, and destructive behaviors towards others for their personal enjoyment, due to their complete abandonment of social restrictions and moral standards in cyberspace, fomented by the distinct features of computer-mediated-communication (CMC).
This website is dedicated to educating the public about the growing subculture of Internet trolls in contemporary society, based on quantitative, qualitative research, psychological analyses, and relevant news articles.
This website is dedicated to educating the public about the growing subculture of Internet trolls in contemporary society, based on quantitative, qualitative research, psychological analyses, and relevant news articles.