WHY PEOPLE TROLL

“Online, people feel anonymous and disinhibited,” says Professor Mark Griffiths, director of the International Gaming Research Unit at the UK’s Nottingham Trent University. “They lower their emotional guard and in the heat of the moment may troll either reactively or proactively.”

Birds of a feather

On sites such as Facebook or Instagram, users are able to recruit friends or followers who are like-minded. This makes individuals feel empowered and confident in expressing their views, no matter how controversial. For example, a troll will post a volatile political status update on the assumption their network of “friends” will express agreement by “liking” or sharing the post.

Perceived lack of consequences

Anonymity puts users under the impression they won’t be held responsible for their online bullying. Being surrounded by friends or followers also plants the seed that even though they might offend some, most people will be on their side.

It’s their personality

An Australian study found those who trolled showed higher scores in traits of psychopathology and sadism. Griffiths says such individuals don’t need a reason to troll – they simply get a kick out of hurting others. “Most people troll others for revenge, attention seeking, boredom, or personal amusement.”

Social media allows people to make up a name or handle that has no link to their true identity. This form of anonymity drives defiant behaviour as it makes it easy to avoid consequences