A troll is a person that gets pleasure from sowing discord on the internet.
-A troll likes to start arguments for no other reason than to upset others, and the anonymity of the internet gives them the perfect place to play.
-The troll does not look at other users as humans, but rather as abstract entities. The troll never feels sorry for any harm they have done, and the greater the pain or embarrassment, the better the troll feels.
-Trolls do not respond to criticism, and there is no negotiating with a troll. They do not feel that they are bound by the rules of any site, nor are they bound by general rules of courtesy and social responsibility.
-Trolls discourage others from participating in discussions and message boards. Regular posters leave the boards because the trolls constantly are looking for a new argument. Others who normally don't post but enjoy reading soon decide not to participate at all for fear of exposing themselves to the troll’s abuse.
-Trolls often accuse others as being trolls to 'throw off admin' a bit. For instance, someone will post something that they feel strongly about, a serious post, and the troll will come in behind them and accuse them of trolling. When someone new posts to the boards, they may accuse them of trolling. (Note though, people may just be trying to be funny which is not necessarily trolling, but might be perceived as such. Be careful and make sure they are actually a troll before doing anything.)
-Trolls can create paranoia resulting in an environment where it takes very little to start a ferocious attack on an unsuspecting poster that posts even the slightest criticism. Any hint of healthy interaction is lost and negative emotion soon spills over into other areas of the website or on the boards. This is what a troll wants – to effect the entire community when possible.
-Also, trolls often work together in tandem. One will post a degrading comment and the other troll (working together) will then retaliate. They start an argument which will draw others in. Once one or two others have been brought into the argument, both original parties (trolls) then turn on everyone else. This is common in schools and usually is aimed at bulleting style sites (both allphilosophy and oldpoetry have been hit by these in the past).
-Do not attempt to reason with a troll. They look at this as a victory.
-Do not argue with a troll. That is another victory.
-Ignore the troll when possible. Encourage the others to ignore them. This is a huge defeat for the troll. NO victory.
What do they do when ignored?
-They will step up their attack. They become even more abusive, and protest that they have the right to do so because of their freedom of speech. They will argue that they should not be censored in any way as guaranteed by the USA Constitution (which, by the way, isn’t true in regards to in privately owned communities such as a Allpoetry, etc).
-Trolls crave attention, and they don't really care whether it is negative or positive.
(Originally posted on Allpoetry by Becky, with input from Don )
Just what is an Internet Troll?
Included in the list
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
-
Gee,I hope that Trolling as it is used in the New York City term isn't the same thing you're talking about...I am sure it's not--for us it means going places and checking things out--and,as in 'we come in peace' not to do harm.
-
hmm... well put. So thts the general term for overly abusive, argument seaking, trouble-making... anyhow tht is a very thorough definition and the tips on how to deal wth them r sound. Thanx
-
yay! THanks so much for writing this.
-
Bigfoot.
Thanks for this .. i'm just reading the how-to list - me bored.
-
oh so that is why umm you know who was banned
-
-
I cannot comment on another members bans, but it is safe to say that they do receive a warning, then a ban, which includes the reasons for the ban.
-
-
Barbara? Were you on ASH or ASM?
-
-
ASH...ASM?
uhhh.... once I find out what those are, I'll be able to tell.
-
-
Great Post
Thanks to authors and poster alike
-
You must remember, trolls live under bridges, therefore are rather damp, musty creatures and not too attractive. Deal with them accordingly.
-
-
It's hard to find three Billy-goats who are willing to work for free nowdays.
-
-
Escue Mwa
Whats a troll? Are they dangerous?? mommy -
-
LOVE your picture!!
-
-
wait a min
i though an internet "troll" was a person who "patrols" the internet, like a person who is online 24/7/365 instead of having any kind of life off-line, this ogre-type-troll def being aplied to the term "internet troll" is something new to me -
-
Yes
Red D. IS RIGHT! Trolls PATROL hte internet. -
The contemporary use of the term first appeared on Usenet groups in the late 1980s. It is widely thought to be a contraction of the phrase trolling for suckers, itself derived from the sport fishing technique of trolling.
-
-
I've dealt with Trolls before. Mostly I use 'lol' alot and tell them to go play elsewhere. I hate having all the fun spoiled by all their interruptions.
This is a fine article and hope loads of folks read it and take the good advice. -
-
i've never seen what you're talking about
i've never seen (on any of the forums i've been on) any one refering to a "troll" as an maliciously evil-type person, the word "troll" is always (inso far as what i've seen) used as a synonym for the word "loser" i.e. person who has no life outside of being online
-
-
I have a question-
I am a Christian, and sometimes I will write an answer in response to a question or write a new story, and some one disagrees and starts a genuine argument-I feel it important to defend my faith, but where is the line drawn where I become the arguing troll? Thanx
-
-
If any of the responses falls under the above description, then it's trolling. If you're just disagreeing or affirming your beliefs without calling somene else down or insulting, then it's not trolling. You believe, and the person reading should accapt that instead of insulting. Forcing any view on someone not wanting it is not only rude, but trolling.(some people will stop at nothing to prove that they're right)
No one makes anyone rely to anything on here (not a good answer, I know, but, it's true). I've been called every bad name in existence, plus some made up ones during my time as moderator, and have even had people slam my writes because they want to prove that they can. It's taken a while, but it doesn't bother me.
Most people, if they really want a discussion, will, yes, argue, but do it without name calling, or insults.
-
-
So true, as I think we all could be a troll at times.
Thank you for posting.
~Princess~ -
-
You are so right. It's hard at times to not fall bait to the trolls, and they count on that. It's taken me a few years to be able to not take it personally when called names online, or insulted. They're like a school ground bully, and ignoring them is the best way.
-
-
I know someone who is an internet troll. I wonder why he even reads her stories!
-
-
-
Whoohooo EXCELLENT and VERY well done. Thank you for posting this info here. I'm going to be bookmarking it
Kari
-
-
Thanks... but, all I did was copy and paste. Had this on the boards at Sharepoetry for a troll issue, and never thought about here until recently. It's actually sad that some people are online trolls.
-
-
Barbara are you admitting to something
-
-
I'm not a troll....
...I'm a Billy-Goat.
mmmmmbaaaaa
-
-
Right...
Oh...and I'm Madonna for the record
-
-
Can I have an autograph?
-
-
-
-
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 29 of 29
