The harm of Internet Trolling

“One comment ruins your day.” Ed Sheeran

Out of 7.3 billion people, 3.17 billion people use the internet. And in this modern era of social media, it has benefitted our lives in many ways such as it connects us to our friends, for advertisement, retail brands, connects celebrities to their fans etc. Also, many people share their stories on social media platforms, they love to maintain a positive forum but it has become easier for trolls, who cause misery on social media platforms by making obnoxious comments. In this day and age, trolling is no longer so uncommon that almost everyone has gone through a phase of insults or cheap comments from these trolls. They bully other people and enjoy this whole scenario.

What is Internet Trolling?

Trolling is referred to as an intentional act of making random, unappreciated or controversial statements on different internet platforms with the purpose to ruffle someone’s features. These statements often look a lot like bullying.

The trolls run a gamut by commenting negative comments about someone’s looks, their skin tone, body shaming, insulting their work, write hateful comments and sometimes, they write threatening messages to people. They troll people to make them feel bad about themselves. Even it can lead a person to take some unwanted steps like committing suicide. Trolling often causes social anxiety, reduces self-esteem and depression in an individual.

Who are these Trollers?

According to AsapSCIENCE, around 5.6 per cent of social media users identified themselves as trolls. They love to get fame through trolling.

In 2017, Australian research collected data of more than 400 participants to find various patterns in one’s personality that relates to trolling behaviours of the person. The study revealed that men enjoy trolling others than women. This also depicted connection between their trolling behaviours and high scores on personality questionnaire which included traits of psychopathology and sadism. If I say briefly, creating online havoc is sort of central motivator to these trolls.

Internet trolling can affect through various mediums

Through social media, people can discuss anything such as they can reunite with their friends, keep posting about their life, get to know strangers, write blogs etc. When they post something online, they can’t know who responded to their post, taken a screenshot or not. Trolls attack people by leaving a comment on their blogs, social media platforms, send personal messages and threat people.

How does an individual feel?

Sometimes, it becomes very irksome when it comes to handling these trolls which seems to be intentionally antagonistic. Because the internet has provided this anonymity to troll others. Here, they do whatever they feel like which normally they won’t do in real life. Trolling is an attempt to make a person feel bad about their own self. The person may get perplexed by getting this rude and mean feedback. Trolling makes the people upset that after all the hard work, this is what they get to experience. It can result in an anxiety attack, rapid heartbeat, cold sweat, might feel depressed.
Protect your Mental Health when dealing with trolls

Never feed the trolls, ignore them and they will leave you alone. When you get into a mess with someone who seems to be deliberately antagonistic, can you let this person go? If yes, then are you sure that the trolls won’t come back to you?

Today, every platform have an option for reporting any kind of disturbing behaviours. Don’t hesitate to use this option, if necessary.

Don’t put on a mask. Express your true feelings, as it doesn’t feel good and it’s normal to feel sad and angry about it. The longer you endure this trolling, the worse you feel. So, accept the situation and handle it in an easy way.

When a person trolls you, he might be upset about something or want your attention. This doesn’t excuse their trolling behaviour and you would be able to see that the comments they made on your post are more about themselves or their life than they are about you.
You can always use privacy controls on your different social media apps.

How To Respond To Trolls?

Always prepare yourself for responding to things that get attention from the internet. Trolls enjoy bullying people. They think it’s funny or maybe they are lonely, sad. That’s why they want others to feel miserable.
In any case, it’s not at all fun.

Take a look at what you can do:

Report them
As I said earlier, every platform has a report option. Do report, if you are into this situation. The trolls might be doing this to other people too. So, just report them.

Block them
Every online forum has an option which can prevent a user from sending you comment or message.

Pity them
Think for a moment how lonely and upset a person must be to do this sort of thing for fun.
Turn off the device and walk away

Do something for fun and enjoy your life. Don’t let the trolling settle in your mind and affect your thought process.

Conclusion

Don’t forget, trolls have affected the way you think or feel about yourself, so, it’s completely fine to get help from someone. It’s not a bad thing to do or a sign that you aren’t thick-skinned enough or it’s not necessary that you need to get over it on your own. It’s time to talk to someone you can trust.

Other Important Articles

• RESILIENCE AND IT’S IMPORTANCE
• The role of media and cartoon in violence in children
• “Don’t use social media to impress people; use it to impact people