Do online trolls want to cause harm or amusement?

Aruma, (2021) Online trolls.

With the growth of social media, we’ve never had more access to public forums and having the ability to communicate with people from all corners of the world. This comes with new norms, responsibilities, potential misuses, conflict and potential harms (Swinburne Online). 

One of the harms that come of this is online trolls. Online trolls are people who intentionally antagonise others by posting inflammatory or offensive comments online. Recent research suggests that one in three Australians have experienced online harassment (Morgan 2019). This is particularly more provident in junior years at school. 

According to research conducted on 4,000 online cases, there are 7 tactics used by trolls (Macleod 2019). They are as followed:

1. Digressing from the topic at hand
2. Hypostatising
3. Anticipating
4. Endangering
5. Shocking others
6. Insulting/threatening
7. Cross-posting

But the question we ask though is, do online trolls do this to cause harm to others or to cause amusement?

There’s no doubt in saying that trolling can and does result in harm and distress for the victims as studies show that social media posts are the most damaging form of cyberbullying. Victims of cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide (Skentelbery 2020). 

So why would someone do this?

The most common reasons for trolling are:

– Boredom

– Amusement

– Revenge

For me, these three reasons don’t justify how cruel some of the comments trolls make on social media. In regards to boredom, find something else to keep you occupied that doesn’t put others well-being at risk. In regards to amusement, go watch TikTok, YouTube or something that doesn’t put others well-being at risk. In regards to revenge, don’t do it behind a keyboard and find a way that doesn’t put others well-being at risk.

What do you think is the main motive behind online trolls?

Reference List:

Macleod, I 2013, Boredom, amusement and revenge top reason for trolling, The Drum, viewed 30 August 2021,<https://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/06/27/boredom-amusement-and-revenge-top-reasons-trolling>

Morgan, R 2019, Crime, SBS News, viewed 30 August 2021,<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/one-in-three-australians-say-they-ve-been-trolled-online/c8ec0e27-cb88-4c94-9505-77554520b692>

Skentelbery, A 2020, The effects of internet trolling, Warrington Wordwide, viewed 30 August 2021,<https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2020/04/10/the-effects-of-internet-trolling/>

Swinburne Online, 2021, 7.2 Trolling and provocation, viewed 30 August 2021<https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/2966/pages/7-dot-2-trolling-and-provocation?module_item_id=229036>