What’s the Point of Trolling?
Internet trolls. In their minds, they are the heroes of the world wide web –– using computer screens as their shield, the keyboard as their sword, and hate as their fuel. They now have the power to reach anyone they please, whether their opinions are valid or not. And most of the time, it’s not.
Why do trolls, well, troll? There’s an endless amount of reasons. For one, they probably aren’t the most social of creatures. Or, maybe they are, but they can’t read a room or seem to understand why people seem to roll their eyes when they speak. Maybe they’re introverted and shy around people, but find they can truly express themselves online. They think their exterior is keeping them from being taken seriously, because they don’t fit into the mold society has deemed “acceptable.” In fact, according to a study done in 2014 in the psychology journal Personality and Individual Differences, around 5% of these “trolls” scored very high on personality traits such as narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.
Whatever the reason may be for someone turning into a troll, most of us can agree that the world could do without. They may think they are being comedic, urging people to think differently about the world, opening their minds to new perspectives, but really, when has anyone ever had a troll truly change their opinion on something? Very few and far between, I’m sure.
Those who deem themselves a troll (or maybe they don’t realize they are), may have some underlying issues as to why they do so. No one in their non-virtual lives sees the cries for help or attention they seem to be looking for. However, they need to realize that the mental health card can be played in every hand.
Some may argue, “why get so hurt or worked up by some anonymous person on Twitter or Instagram?” But, why go out of your way to threaten, demean, or belittle someone you don’t know on the Internet?
When it comes to social media, there are active and passive users. I fall under the more passive side. I post occasionally, and I interact with my friends, sending them articles and memes I know they’d find amusing, but that’s the extent of it. I don’t go around posting on influencers’ or celebrities’ pages as if I know them. When I see someone’s story that I don’t agree with, I don’t berate them for it, and if it really bothers me, I can unfollow them. It’s that simple.
This isn’t to say that people who are active on social media are wrong for doing so. Most people just show their appreciation for the content creators and celebs they follow. But what about when the opposite is true? The insults, the judgement, the sheer attacks on people as if you actually know their whole life story? Why have the overpowering urge to tell complete strangers that the life they live is so utterly wrong?
If you’re someone who feels the need to troll — to spend hours on Reddit and Twitter, making whoever your target is feel as lonely, stupid, or insecure as you are feeling –– think twice. What are you accomplishing? Why is it that making other people aggravated makes you feel better? I mean, does it really?
Reach out to people in your life to talk to, try having a more civil discourse when speaking to those you disagree with, and at the end of the day, just stop replying if you feel your blood start to boil. There is no way to “win” with someone on the Internet if their mind is truly made up; there will always be a retort to whatever clever comeback you’ve written with the characters allotted.
