The supposed anonymity of online platforms make them fertile ground for reprehensible behaviour. What are the typical character traits of a troll and what is their motivation?
By: Erica Lay
Trolling on social media is a complex behavior with multiple underlying causes. Mostly, well, it’s because people are stupid and mean. Sorry, just my opinion from what I’m constantly seeing on the usual, harmless, “asking for info” type posts on Facebook yacht groups… But let’s consider some of the key reasons why certain people insist on engaging in trolling because, as with most anti social behaviours, there’s some dark stuff lurking… don’t believe me? Well we’ve got psychologists and researchers coming out the hoo ha who back up these claims.
ANONYMITY
Social media often allows users to remain anonymous or use pseudonyms, which can embolden individuals to say things they wouldn’t dream of saying to someone face-to-face. To be blunt, a lot of these comments would result in a slap or a thrown drink in real life. So yep, this anonymity can reduce the fear of real-world repercussions. People who troll online think they’re untouchable, especially when they hide behind a fake name and photo. Dr. Elizabeth S. Englander summed up, “Trolling is a form of aggression that thrives on anonymity and the lack of immediate consequences. It’s an outlet for those who feel powerless in their offline lives.” ¹
ATTENTION
Trolls are attention seeking narcissists. Don’t argue, they are. Provoking others gives them the endorphin hit they crave and quickly. By causing controversy or anger, they can draw responses and engagement from others, fulfilling their need for recognition. Dr. Claire Hardaker explained, “Trolls use language strategically to provoke, entertain, and manipulate. Their behaviour is often a performance intended to elicit a strong reaction from others.”
POWER
Trolling can give these sad basement dwellers a sense of power and control over others. By eliciting strong emotional reactions, they feel a sense of dominance and influence in the conversation. Often this is because they have absolutely no power or control over people in their actual, real life world. Trolling may be the only way these individuals can feel they’re not at the bottom of the pile. Dr Jonathan Bishop said, “Trolling can be a way for individuals to exert power and control in an environment where they feel otherwise powerless. It can be a form of compensation for feelings of inadequacy or insecurity.” ³ Sheesh. I knew there would be some sort of inferiority complex involved. Incels galore in the troll community!
BOREDOM
For some, trolling is a way to alleviate boredom. They may engage in this behaviour simply because they have nothing better to do and find amusement in the reactions they provoke. People can be utter sadists and ruining someone else’s day brings them joy. Which is a bit sick really isn’t it?
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Now this is an interesting one. Endless studies and journals have shown trolls have a veritable cornucopia of underlying psychological issues, such as a need for validation, low self-esteem, or antisocial personality traits. Trolling can be a way for them to assert themselves or compensate for feelings of inadequacy. There’s a lot of stuff out there studying this bizarrely sadistic trend, often identifying an association between the Dark Tetrad personality traits and trolling, reinforcing the idea that individuals with these traits are more likely to be those people online.
Go on, have a look down the rabbit hole, you’ve got hours and hours of subject matter to pore over (I did). Plus you’ll find out what the Dark Tetrad is so you can drop that into your next dinner level conversation. I know I’m going to. Or read on and I might explain it later.
Dr Erin Buckels explained, “Online trolls tend to have high levels of psychopathy and sadism. They seem to enjoy causing harm to others and thrive on disrupting social norms.”4
LACK OF EMPATHY
Trolls pretty much always exhibit a complete lack of empathy towards their targets. This detachment can make it easier for them to engage in hurtful or inflammatory behavior without feeling guilty. It’s also much easier to do this behind the smokescreen of anonymity we mentioned earlier. It’s just words after all isn’t it? It’s much harder to deliver these sorts of attacks in real life when you can see the effect of your behaviour on someone else.
Desire for Amusement (or as I prefer to call it, “doin’ it for the LOLZ”). Trolls want to get laughs at others’ expense. They find humour in the chaos and distress they cause, viewing their actions as “harmless pranks” or “banter”. Hey, if you got offended that’s your problem not mine right? Urmm….no, you pathetic excuse for a human being. Oh you’re upset? But it was just a joke, lighten up loser.
REVENGE
Some trolling behavior is motivated by a desire for revenge or retaliation. Individuals who feel wronged or slighted may turn to trolling as a way to get back at those they perceive as having wronged them. Which is a bit sad really, I mean, to have to resort to online tactics rather than being able to have an adult conversation with someone to explain why they’re awful humans. There’s definitely a lack of confidence involved here and it certainly seems like the current trend is to avoid actual confrontation and just post anonymously online instead. If you need an example, check out the Yachties Name and Shame group on FB, and you’ll see the vast majority of posts are anonymous.
EXPLORING BOUNDARIES
Trolls often enjoy testing the limits of social norms and rules. They might troll to see how far they can push boundaries before they face consequences. And get blocked or barred from certain social media pages or groups. Dr Erin E. Buckels stated, “Online trolls seem to be prototypical everyday sadists.” See? I told you. Mean. She continued, “They possess the Dark Tetrad of personality traits: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and everyday sadism. They troll because they enjoy causing harm to others.” sup>4 I told you I’d drop the Dark Tetrad in didn’t I?
Ok so that’s all super interesting but what do we do if we’re getting trolled? How do you cope with that? Or what if you’re running a nice group and a troll finds its miserable way out from under that bridge it lives under and starts attacking innocent social media users?
Well, addressing trolling involves a combination of strategies. If you’re a group moderator on Facebook, expect every troll to ignore the rules they agreed to upon joining, and then spend half of your life encouraging positive online behavior through community guidelines and moderation. So tell them “you’re naughty, you’re going to the naughty step for time out.” Which means they’ve been suspended for a few days. Is this the 2024 version of parents grounding their kids?
You can also refuse to accept any profiles which are clearly fake or anonymous. Works for me on the pages I manage. I also operate on the one strike and you’re out rule. Plus, I also make a note of people who are abusive online for my own records. I know I’m not the only person in yachting who does this so don’t say you’ve not been warned.
You could try to educate users about the impact of trolling and promote empathy and digital citizenship (the ability to navigate the digital environment safely and responsibly). But in this day and age you’ll probably get laughed at on one end of the scale, whilst getting supportive messages of abject adoration on the other. There’s no in between on socials, only extremes.
Failing that, you have two other superb methods of dealing with trolls: Block everyone who doesn’t say nice things resulting in a very small, but wholesome following/friends list; don’t go on social media ever again and live your life without ever posting a selfie about it. Easy peasy.
How to be a good internet troll
Whether you’re a misunderstood genius troll or just a bored keyboard cowboy, becoming a good internet troll requires finesse, creativity, and a total disregard for everyone else’s feelings, oh, and a stern commitment to being an absolute knob head. Not sure where to start? Fear not young trollies, I’m here to help.
CHOOSE YOUR HABITAT
A good troll knows their terrain. Social media platforms, comment sections, and forums are your playground. Each has its own ecosystem:
Facebook: The perfect place to disrupt group harmony and start wars with complete strangers. Plus on lots of groups now you can post anonymously!
X: Ideal for quick, biting remarks and viral chaos with strangers.
Instagram: Super for ruining a narcissist’s claims/fakery and getting embroiled in the comments section.
YouTube: Home to endless comment chains with the worst of the internet.
DEVELOP YOUR PERSONA
The most effective trolls have distinct online personalities. Here are a few classics:
The Intellectual: Uses big words and obscure references to make others feel stupid. Bonus points for use of Latin.
The Clown: Makes jokes out of everything. Nothing is sacred, no subject out of bounds. Including your mum.
The Conspiracy Theorist: Claims everything is a part of a larger plot. Aliens, Bigfoot, and the Illuminati are their best friends. Because THEY DID THEIR OWN RESEARCH SHEEPLE*
The Edgelord: Pushes the boundaries of taste and decency. Measures exactly where the line is then stomps all over it.
*watched a youtube someone else made and decided it was true.
MASTER THE ART OF BAITING
The goal of trolling is to provoke a reaction. To become a Master Baiter, if you will…
False Information: Post blatantly wrong facts and argue passionately. “Superyachts are equipped with a secret underwater teleportation device that allows them to instantly travel to any ocean in the world. This feature, however, is only activated during a full moon and requires the captain to sing a specific sea shanty in ancient Greek.”
Backhanded Compliments: “You’re surprisingly smart for someone with your taste in music.” Pretty sure my mum used to do this IRL but ok.
Outrageous Opinions: “All superyachts should be required to have a dedicated onboard zoo with at least one exotic animal from each continent, ensuring that guests can enjoy a global wildlife experience without ever leaving the deck.”
Off-Topic Rants: Hijack a conversation about crew to discuss the socio-political implications of underwater basket weaving.
PLAY THE LONG GAME
Patience is a virtue. Sometimes, the best trolling comes from slowly building up a persona over months. Consistently drop subtle hints and slightly annoying comments until your targets can’t take it anymore. Remember, a slow burn is often more satisfying than an instant explosion.
KNOW WHEN TO HOLD ‘EM, KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM
Even the best trolls need to recognise when to back off. If the situation escalates beyond your control or if you sense a mob forming, gracefully exit with a final, cryptic comment.
“I’ve said too much already. You’ll understand soon enough.” Mic. Drop.
LEAVE NO TRACE
A good troll covers their tracks. Use fake accounts, fake photos, and change your username periodically. This adds an air of mystery and keeps your targets guessing. Plus, it’s more fun to be a digital enigma. Or enema? Whatever.
SOURCES
(1) Englander, E. S. (2012). Bullying and Cyberbullying: What Every Educator Needs to Know. Harvard Education Press.
(2) Hardaker, C. (2010). Trolling in asynchronous computer-mediated communication: From user discussions to academic definitions. Journal of Politeness Research.
(3) Bishop, J. (2014). Representations of ‘trolls’ in mass media communication: A review of media-texts and moral panics relating to ‘internet trolling’. International Journal of Web Based Communities, 10(1), 7-24.
(4) Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Trolls just want to have fun: Personality and Individual Differences
