For some people, the Internet and social media are like Westerners, trolls and online assaults are an example of this, designed to generate an emotional response, provoke, create antagonisms or simply harass; for experts, trolling is a form of abuse perpetrated by a narcissistic profile, with low self-esteem and motivated by revenge or mere boredom.
This type of phenomenon has more and more literature and studies, our society already has this digital brand that has changed (for better or worse) the way we interact and even the way we conceived our reality, the subject is certainly more than curious from a psychological and anthropological point of view.
- On our social networks there are two types of trolls: the first is the fun troll.
- Who uses irony.
- The second is a flamethrower and an offensive troll.
- Which irritates anyone and has an impact.
Until recently our interactions were with people we met more or less frequently, as long as, in a way, a principle of cooperation is generated that facilitates coexistence, there was a kind of virtuous balance in which this principle was applied that facilitated our survival as a species for generations: respect and a sense of cooperation. Something you’re missing right now.
Today, most of us live in cyber bubbles, where we can relate to people we don’t know. We keep in touch and follow profiles that we don’t know, but that we know every day through social networks. This convenience, that of being able to act from anonymity, facilitates the possibility of emerging the worst of ourselves. We can attack, discredit and even harass someone until it completely ruins a person’s life at all levels: socially and emotionally.
The troll was an anthropomorphic creature of Scandinavian culture who lived under mounds of land, at crossroads or under bridges for a single purpose: to attack, steal or take people’s children. Another space open to the comment. Its function is simple and just as bad: to energize debates, spread moodiness and give the most destructive opinions.
According to Stanford University’s work, we can all, at any time, perform the behavior of a troll. If ideal conditions occur, anyone can show the worst of themselves in a virtual environment. However, the International Journal of Cyber ?? Behavior, Psychology and Learning does not have this opinion. Dr. Laura Wydyanto explains that the phenomenon of trolling is a form of abuse and that anyone who behaves in this way shares some common psychological traits:
No one is immune to troll attacks. However, the most striking and possibly disturbing thing about this is that it works as a chemical and infectious agent; almost not knowing how, he exerts a reaction on others and, gradually, an army of even more damaging comments appears. We cannot forget it, know how to train others, because the more extreme your opinion or rumor is, the more impact it generates and the more discussion it generates.
It is often said that it is possible to kill a troll without eating him, he uses his ego and the emotional impact it causes us, so some prefer to remain silent so as not to continue with his game. we have already pointed out, it is not necessary for the victim to continue his game, because, even if he remains silent, he turns on others by generating an echo, gradually creating a battalion of mini-trolls.
Therefore, the most valid and necessary option is the complaint, acting as a troll is illegal and punishable with prison, we do not doubt it. If we are victims at some point, we cannot be afraid to take the next step and report on it, but at the same time, and not least, we must not neglect a fundamental aspect: we must avoid being trolls or being part of their entourage.