The Psychology Behind Trolling: Motivations, Impact, and Strategies for Dealing with Online Harassment

Trolling is a phenomenon that has become increasingly prevalent in the digital age. It is defined as the act of deliberately provoking, upsetting, or offending someone online. Trolling can take many forms, from posting inflammatory comments on social media to creating fake accounts to harass others. While the act of trolling may seem like a harmless form of online entertainment to some, it can have serious consequences for both the troll and the victim. In this article, we will explore the psychology behind trolling, including the motivations behind it, the impact it has on individuals, and strategies for dealing with it.

Motivations for Trolling

There are many different motivations behind trolling, and they can vary from person to person. Some trolls may be motivated by a desire for attention, while others may be seeking to provoke a reaction from others. Still, others may be motivated by a desire to cause chaos or to express their dissatisfaction with a particular person or group. Below, we will explore some of the most common motivations behind trolling.

Attention-Seeking

One of the most common motivations behind trolling is a desire for attention. Trolls may feel ignored or overlooked in their real lives, and so they turn to the internet to seek attention and validation. By posting inflammatory comments or creating fake accounts to harass others, trolls can attract attention to themselves and feel like they are part of a community.

Provocation

Another common motivation behind trolling is the desire to provoke a reaction from others. Trolls may enjoy upsetting or offending others, and they may do so to feel a sense of power or control. By eliciting a response from their victims, trolls can feel like they are in control of the situation.

Retaliation

Some trolls may be motivated by a desire to retaliate against someone they feel has wronged them. For example, a troll may harass someone who has criticized them or someone they admire. By lashing out online, the troll can feel like they are getting revenge and standing up for themselves or their beliefs.

Social Norms

The anonymity of the internet can also play a role in motivating trolling behavior. When people are online, they may feel like they are not subject to the same social norms and rules that apply in the real world. This can lead to a sense of disinhibition, where people feel free to behave in ways they wouldn’t in real life. Trolling behavior can be a manifestation of this disinhibition.

Impact of Trolling

Trolling can have a serious impact on both the victim and the troll. For the victim, trolling behavior can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and even depression. Victims of trolling may feel like they are being personally attacked, and they may begin to question their own self-worth. Trolling behavior can also have a negative impact on mental health, with victims experiencing symptoms of PTSD.

For the troll, the consequences of trolling can be equally serious. Trolls may face legal consequences for their behavior, including charges of cyberbullying or harassment. Trolling behavior can also have a negative impact on their mental health, with trolls experiencing feelings of guilt, shame, and regret.

Strategies for Dealing with Trolling

Dealing with trolling behavior can be challenging, but there are strategies that can help. Below, we will explore some of the most effective strategies for dealing with trolling behavior.

Ignore the Troll

One of the most effective strategies for dealing with trolling behavior is to ignore the troll. Trolls thrive on attention, and by denying them the attention they seek, you can take away their power. If you encounter a troll online, resist the urge to engage with them. Instead, report the behavior to the platform’s moderators and move on.

Document the Behavior

If you are the victim of trolling behavior, it is important to document the behavior. Keep a record of any comments or messages you receive, and take screenshots if possible. This documentation can be helpful if you need to report the behavior to the platform’s moderators or law enforcement.

Report the Behavior

If you are the victim of trolling behavior, it is important to report the behavior to the platform’s moderators. Most social media platforms have policies in place to address trolling behavior, and they may take action against the troll if they violate these policies. Additionally, if you feel that the behavior is threatening or constitutes harassment, you may want to report it to law enforcement.

Take Care of Yourself

Dealing with trolling behavior can be emotionally challenging, and it is important to take care of yourself. Make sure you have a support system in place, and don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional if you need help coping with the impact of trolling behavior.

Conclusion

Trolling is a complex phenomenon that can have serious consequences for both the victim and the troll. Understanding the psychology behind trolling can help individuals better understand the motivations behind this behavior and develop effective strategies for dealing with it. By ignoring the troll, documenting the behavior, reporting it to the platform’s moderators or law enforcement, and taking care of yourself, you can protect yourself from the negative impact of trolling behavior.

Here are a few notable real-life examples of trolling behavior and their consequences:

1. Gamergate: In 2014, a group of trolls launched a coordinated harassment campaign against several women in the gaming industry, including game developer Zoe Quinn and feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian. The harassment campaign included death threats, rape threats, and doxxing (the release of personal information online). The consequences of the campaign were severe, with the victims experiencing significant emotional distress and threats to their safety. The incident also highlighted the toxic culture of the gaming industry and the need for better protections against online harassment.
2. Leslie Jones: In 2016, actress and comedian Leslie Jones was targeted by trolls on Twitter after the release of the Ghostbusters reboot, in which she starred. The trolls sent Jones racist and sexist messages, including images of apes and photoshopped images of her in slave attire. The harassment campaign was so severe that Jones temporarily left Twitter. The consequences of the campaign were significant, with many people speaking out against the trolls and Twitter implementing new policies to combat online harassment.
3. Megan Meier: In 2006, 13-year-old Megan Meier was the victim of a trolling campaign that ultimately led to her suicide. The trolling campaign was orchestrated by a group of adults, including a mother and daughter who lived in Meier’s neighborhood. The trolls created a fake MySpace profile to befriend Meier and then began sending her cruel messages. The harassment campaign escalated until Meier took her own life. The consequences of the campaign were tragic, with Meier’s family and community left to grieve her loss.

These examples demonstrate the serious consequences of trolling behavior, including emotional distress, threats to physical safety, and even death. It is important for individuals and online platforms to take a stand against trolling behavior and to work towards creating a safer and more supportive online environment.

Here are a few more examples of trolling behavior and their serious consequences:

1. Tyler Clementi: In 2010, Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old college student, committed suicide after his roommate and another student secretly filmed him in a sexual encounter with another man and posted the video online. The video was shared on social media, and Clementi was subjected to widespread online harassment and ridicule. The consequences of the trolling campaign were tragic, with Clementi’s death shining a light on the impact of cyberbullying and the need for better protections against online harassment.
2. Amanda Todd: In 2012, Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old Canadian girl, committed suicide after being the victim of an online harassment campaign. Todd had been harassed by an unknown person who had convinced her to send inappropriate photos of herself. The harasser then used the photos to blackmail Todd, threatening to share them with her friends and family. Todd was subjected to widespread online harassment and ridicule, which ultimately led to her tragic death. The consequences of the trolling campaign were devastating, with Todd’s death sparking a global conversation about cyberbullying and online safety.
3. The Swatting Incident: In 2017, a man was killed in a swatting incident after trolls called the police and falsely reported a hostage situation at his home. Swatting is a form of trolling in which someone calls the police and makes a false report of a serious crime, such as a hostage situation or a bomb threat, in order to provoke an armed police response. The consequences of the trolling campaign were deadly, with the innocent victim losing his life as a result of the false report.

These examples illustrate the very serious consequences of trolling behavior, including emotional distress, threats to physical safety, and even death. It is important for individuals, online platforms, and law enforcement to take a strong stance against trolling behavior and work together to create a safer and more supportive online environment.