Internet Trolling

Internet trolling is a method by which some people instigate a heated argument or discussion on a forum, chat board, or on social media, usually in an inflammatory or purposely antagonistic manner for their own, occasionally perverse enjoyment. Internet trolling exists for several reasons. Some trolls just enjoy irritating people with differing viewpoints or philosophies. Some enjoy playing the role of “devil's advocate” often to the point of complete idiocy and nonsense. Still others are simply sadistic, possibly with psychotic tendencies who enjoy hurting or inflicting emotional pain on others and use the anonymity of the internet to shelter themselves.

The most common of internet troll is one who just wants to “stir the pot” with other people with differing viewpoints or philosophies and sit back and enjoy the discussion. They can be found almost everywhere on the internet. They can be found on sporting forums, mocking the fans of an opposing team after a loss. Others enjoy making purposely inflammatory comments on news websites which have an audience whose political views are usually opposed to theirs. Still others can be found almost everywhere on the internet. Just trying to get a rise out of others with opposing views, beliefs, ideologies, or philosophies, often just for their own twisted enjoyment.

Other trolls enjoy a good rousing debate, and will even take a stance which is in direct conflict with their own beliefs just to achieve this end. These trolls just seem to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing and will take any opportunity to get into a heated discussion with others, and if no opportunity exists, will start a conversation with a purposely inflammatory remark or post, deliberately instigating others to join the fray, thereby giving the troll exactly what they wanted, a heated debate or argument.

The last and potentially most dangerous and harmful of all trolls are those who will post hateful or harmful comments to others, simply for the sake of causing emotional distress. A recent paper by three Canadian universities suggests that these trolls might not just be mean-spirited but they might even be exhibiting sadistic or psychopathic behavior. These people hide behind the anonymity of the internet and will purposely make mean or hurtful remarks designed specifically to inflicting as much pain as possible.

Trolls do not only exist because of the anonymity of the internet, but the ability to remain faceless encourages their behavior.  People are much less inhibited and more brazen in an arena which ensures very little chance of a face to face conflict. This behavior can be shown in other aspects of human life as well. When people are driving a vehicle they are much more brazen and forceful with strangers than they would be if in an elevator with those very same strangers. With little to no chance of being forced to face their victims, internet trolls can operate with almost unlimited impunity, inflicting as much pain and distress on their intended victims as they can, before disappearing into the vastness of the internet only to emerge once more when the urge strikes them.