Trolling and Social Media conflict
Most of us grew up in typical childhood experiences where playground bullying was the norm. Whether it was simple pranking or more serious emotional or physical attacks, many of us didn't leave childhood without some scars or bruises.
What is really interesting about today is that while most childhood bullying is left behind when we grow up, the internet now provides a platform for angry people to voice their discontent and continue their playground rage.
Trolling is the online description of the modern playground bully. As Boyd explains
"Most bullies react aggressively because they're struggling with serious issues of their own" (Boyd 2014, p.135). It seems that the average online troll is a broken human with bigger issues than is on the surface. They can outwork their angst online to an unknown victim that doesn't mean anything to them.
I also think that the whole online world is one that people can remain unattached from. The tangibility of online is that we don't engage our senses to interact. We simply are disconnected from the people we engage with. This allows the online troll or bully to outwork their pain in a public forum where they can feel heard and affirmed in their anger.
Even from a high level on the world platform bully and trolling is being recognised as a problem. Recently Pope Francis suggested those observing lent give up trolling for 40 days (Reuters 2020). What do examples like this tell us? Even leaders at the top of their field experience bullying and trolling themselves and recognise it as a large social issue.
The horrific true story of Amanda Todd who took her own life as a result of online trolling, paints a major issue for those too young to defend themselves. Her mother interviewed on Fox talks about the online world for teenagers being "so faceless" (STOPit 2019), and that teenagers don't connect their behaviour with the fact that it is a real person that they are targeting.
I did a little further digging on trolling and found this YouTube channel that flies undercover and actually exists just to jump in on online meetings and troll the users. It takes trolling to another whole level when it's used to cause a disturbance just for entertainment.
As a society we must do better. For the sake of this online generation and the ones who will follow, we need to lead with a better online presence instead of contributing or adding fuel to the bigger problem of online trolling and conflict.
References:
Amanda Todd Legacy Society 2018, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://www.amandatoddlegacy.org>.
What is really interesting about today is that while most childhood bullying is left behind when we grow up, the internet now provides a platform for angry people to voice their discontent and continue their playground rage.
Trolling is the online description of the modern playground bully. As Boyd explains
"Most bullies react aggressively because they're struggling with serious issues of their own" (Boyd 2014, p.135). It seems that the average online troll is a broken human with bigger issues than is on the surface. They can outwork their angst online to an unknown victim that doesn't mean anything to them.
I also think that the whole online world is one that people can remain unattached from. The tangibility of online is that we don't engage our senses to interact. We simply are disconnected from the people we engage with. This allows the online troll or bully to outwork their pain in a public forum where they can feel heard and affirmed in their anger.
Even from a high level on the world platform bully and trolling is being recognised as a problem. Recently Pope Francis suggested those observing lent give up trolling for 40 days (Reuters 2020). What do examples like this tell us? Even leaders at the top of their field experience bullying and trolling themselves and recognise it as a large social issue.
The horrific true story of Amanda Todd who took her own life as a result of online trolling, paints a major issue for those too young to defend themselves. Her mother interviewed on Fox talks about the online world for teenagers being "so faceless" (STOPit 2019), and that teenagers don't connect their behaviour with the fact that it is a real person that they are targeting.
I did a little further digging on trolling and found this YouTube channel that flies undercover and actually exists just to jump in on online meetings and troll the users. It takes trolling to another whole level when it's used to cause a disturbance just for entertainment.
(Online School Trolling 2020)
As a society we must do better. For the sake of this online generation and the ones who will follow, we need to lead with a better online presence instead of contributing or adding fuel to the bigger problem of online trolling and conflict.
References:
Amanda Todd Legacy Society 2018, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://www.amandatoddlegacy.org>.
Boyd, D 2014, Bullying: Is the Media Amplifying Meanness and Cruelty?, in It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens, Yale University Press, New Haven, USA, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://commons.swinburne.edu.au/file/d47f38bf-bd06-413f-9542-0bc855f38b51/1/99333103114.pdf>.
Online School Trolling 2020, ULTIMATE ONLINE SCHOOL TROLLING 3, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://youtu.be/drjJdc3QyXM>.
STOPit 2019, Mother of Cyberbullying Victim Amanda Todd Speaks Out, viewed 28 April 2020,
Reuters 2020, Pope to Catholics: For Lent, give up trolling, viewed 28 April 2020,<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-generalaudience-lent-insults-idUSKCN20K1O7?taid=5e5681f9ee23af00013b37a9&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter>.
Online School Trolling 2020, ULTIMATE ONLINE SCHOOL TROLLING 3, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://youtu.be/drjJdc3QyXM>.
Reuters 2020, Pope to Catholics: For Lent, give up trolling, viewed 28 April 2020,<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-generalaudience-lent-insults-idUSKCN20K1O7?taid=5e5681f9ee23af00013b37a9&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter>.
Thanks Cas for your post. Really thought provoking and engaging.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment, ' It seems that the average online troll is a broken human with bigger issues than is on the surface. They can outwork their angst online to an unknown victim that doesn't mean anything to them' - that resonated with me.
Recently, a photograph was taken through the windows of our house of our family, with fake and unflattering commentary about us. We weren't alone. These images were posted online under an anonymous profile, and clearly was intended to intimidate those of us targeted. It was removed after investigation, but the core issue was someone who had massive issues of their own, and who wanted to lash out at those they didn't know, and to feel a sense of revenge. He had his own story of bullying and not being able to face the perpetrators, and it resulted in actions that were reflecting his own pain.
Then there are those trolls who use the trolling as a means of personal entertainment. They actually get followers who celebrate their craft.
Here's a link to one: https://www.alternet.org/2016/09/internet-trolls-explain-why-they-do-what-they-do/
It's a weird old world we live within! The motivations of anyone is unique and can't be assumed.
Hi Cas, great post this week!
ReplyDeleteI really like your comment "Trolling is the online description of the modern playground bully." I find it to be a really true comment and it shows how the world has changed over the years! I have to agree with your point where an online troll is just someone letting out their anger on another person that they don't know or have never met, it's strange when you think about why someone would want to do that in the first place.
Overall, great post this week!