THE HAZARD OF TROLLING AND WAYS OF AVOIDING GETTING TROLLED.

THE HAZARD OF TROLLING AND WAYS 

OF AVOIDING GETTING TROLLED

A Research Paper Presented to

English Resource Center

School of Computer Science and Information Technology

Asia Pacific College

Magallaness, Makati City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

ERESWRT - Research Writing

John Librad Capuyan

March 2015

Chapter 1

A. Background of the Study

     For the freewill of the internet, freedom of speech and without any extent of law in the internet free world, trolls are increasing its population throughout the world wide web. Although the motives of trolling is negative, people seems to like the idea of it and doing it as a part of the new culture of internet society. 
     
     Trolling is accepted in the society. Without trolls in the internet world, it will be probably dull and boring when you surf in the internet even though there are plenty of ways to kill your time.

     For the trolls, what they are doing is an art. Because for most of the trolls, being an asshole and little pranksters in the internet is a fine job that needs to have an attention and serve well done for their victims.

     But some trolls doing it just for fun and satisfaction. According to the article "Internet Trolls Are Narcissists, Psychopaths, and Sadists" by Jennifer Golbeck Ph.D, trolls has a psychological traits such as Sadism, Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy

     Golbeck said, "Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others. Sadists just want to have fun ... and the Internet is their playground!"(https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-online-secrets/201409/internet-trolls-are-narcissists-psychopaths-and-sadists)

     Trolls will literally trolling whoever they like. There are no boundaries for the trolls, there are no age limit in their perspective victim. According to "Internet Trolls Are Targeting Teens" by Valerie Tejeda, that every teen is a easy victim by the trolls no matter what gender they have and worst part is trolls will do anything to harm the teenagers throughout the whole world wide web.

Tejeda said, "There is no boundaries in the internet that is why trolling is a trend which they will victimize whomever they want, anywhere in the internet society."
(http://www.teenvogue.com/my-life/2014-07/internet-trolls)

For some trolls they are only doing it just for fun and for the sake of art. However, trolls do more damage than you may think. According to "Trolls: the damage they do and what people can do about it" by Karen Gately, that the psychological harm of trolling may lead to depression and stress. 

Gately said, "Depression and anxiety are common mental health challenges among people who have been cyber bullied. Loss of self-esteem and confidence are also commonly reported."

Therefore, having knowledge on how trolls do will give people prevention when they encounter trolls in the internet and what will be the steps so people won't be victimized by trolls.

1. Have selective hearing: choose carefully whose views you listen to and allow to influence how you feel, think and act. 

2. Don't engage: it's difficult to argue with someone who isn't listening let alone contributing. Simply stay out of it. Choose not to read nor respond to nasty comments. 

3. Learn quickly: be alert and recognise when you are interacting with a Troll. Step away from the conversation even if it means letting them have the final word. 

4. Be discerning: understand the difference between a Troll who spreads hateful messages and someone who simply holds an opposing view. 

5. Keep things in perspective: Close to 90 percent of Trolls are between the ages of 14 to 21. If comments seem childish they probably are. They often have a short attention span and if ignored will go away. 

6. Take action: never hesitate to report Trolls to administrators of sites and pages. It's likely they are also targeting other people and a series of complaints is more likely to inspire action.

If people follow the steps. people wouldn't be bullied by trolls in the internet and they won't victimize anymore in the loving community of internet society.

The purpose of this paper is what harm will trolls do to people and what ways of avoiding getting trolled.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the question:

What harm can trolling do to people and what ways people could avoid being a victim.

C.   Significance of the Study

Netizens. Most people in the internet will benefit in this research because people will be aware of what trolling is and how to avoid it.

Trolls. Without them the internet wouldn't be so boring and dull.

Future Researchers. This study is essential for researchers to make similar studies since there still seems to be a lack of information with regards to the issue.

D.   Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on what is the hazard of trolling, and what ways we can do to avoid it.

Due to lack of time and information, this study will no longer discuss how trolling affects the way people interact with other people but rather focus on how it affects oneself. This is for the benefit of one to help and understand him/herself better.

E.   Materials and Methods

Information applicable to the study was gathered from a mixture of reference materials such as books and articles from online resources.

Descriptive research was also used in this study in order to have a deeper understanding towards the hazard of trolling to people's lives..

F.    Definition of Terms

1.    Trolling - Being a prick on the internet because you can. Typically unleashing one or more cynical or sarcastic remarks on an innocent by-stander, because it's the internet and, hey, you can.

2.    Internet - is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link several billion devices worldwide.

3.    Cyber-bullying – is bullying that takes place using electronic technology.

4.   Trolls - the assholes of the internet through flaming and cussing words.

BlogPost 8 : Trolls Ruins Everything

Cyber world is our escape towards in real life dramas and stressful situations. The internet is full of citizens(netizens) and online community is fun because of different people all over the world can interact in said community but trolls are jeopardize the safe and friendly atmosphere of the internet community.

I read an article entitled, "Online trolls may ruin the Internet for everyone", by Clarence Page. This article means that people has been harassed frequently in the internet community by internet trolls.

According to Page, "I don't like to see restrictions on the freewheeling marketplace of ideas that the Internet provides. But, as in other realms, abusers can ruin the online world for everybody."

I agree on what Page said, because, yes, internet is free for all users and for free speech but trolls are abusing it and it can ruin for everyone who is using the internet.

I read another article entitled, "Trolls Are Ruining Science Journalism", by Rose Eveleth. This article states that trolls are useful on affecting people in the readers in the internet but it leads in misinformation.

According to Eveleth, "Science is no exception, and recent research shows that when it comes to science news, the trolls are winning."

I agree on Eveleth, because any subjects can be trolled, even politics,physics and literally anything. That's what the specialty of trolls, they can ruin everything and can make you believe in everything what they are saying.

BlogPost 7 : Trolling Affects.

Internet trolling is fun, some trolls you can ignore it and sometimes you don't, and sometimes it can devastate if the person take it too literally. Some people has humor and some don't. All person in the internet community has different taste, but what if the person took it literally, what are the effects of trolling on that person? In this post we will know what the effects of trolling.

I read an article entitled, "Online Trolling and the effects on Young People", by Wayne Denver. This article state that the trolling has a huge impact psychologically to the person who is getting trolled and many young people are being victims of internet trolling.

According to Denver, "Trolling is thoughtless, cruel, harmful and can lead to some serious consequences."

Well, I agree in what Denver said because if trolling exceeds onto the victim, it can lead to some serious psychological impact on the victim and it will leads to trauma, depression, and worst case scenario is suicide.

I read another article entitled, "Trolling And Online Bullying 'Affects One In Three'", by Felicity Morse. This article is about the consequences you will endure in the internet and why trolls are attacking simple young people in the internet online community.

According to Griffiths, "Young people need to understand the consequences that these comments can have, and it's important to teach them how to use social media correctly, to make the internet a safer and happier place."

I agree on what Griffiths said, teaching awareness is the best key for not getting trolled, if the people in online community are much aware on trolls they will be less victims by the trolls for sure and the internet will be safe ground to young people.

BlogPost 6 : Trolls For The Win

For the people who are habit is to use the internet everyday, well I'm most certainly that you have encountered an Internet Troll. They are literally dozens, in group, or even more. They are just everywhere, in games, social medias, forums and any other programs or stuff that has a community, because if there is a community for sure there is a troll among them and they are waiting for a stupid fish to catch once they reel you, they will definitely win.

I read an article entitled, "Why Trolls Always Win", by Kathy Sierra. This article is about whatever you do to the trolls whether you outsmarted or even if you ignore them, they will not stop until you give up. You can't outrun in their trolling since you're in online you are a big bait for them.

According to Sierra, "Simply moving on is not an option for the haters once you’ve been labeled a Koolaid server and/or a rich source of lulz. Ignore them, and the trolls cry harder, scream louder, and become destructive."

I both agree and disagree on what Sierra said because yes, I agree that trolls will make an effort if you ignore them, but ignoring them completely will make them stop. Moving on and ignore is the best solution for them.

I read another article entitled, "Web Trolls Winning as Incivility Increases", by Farhad Manjoo. This article states that if there is internet there will be always a troll in midst. No matter what, they will always be there, even if they are not winning they are still a lot more of them.

According to Phillips, "The faster that the whole media system goes, the more trolls have a foothold to stand on. They are perfectly calibrated to exploit the way media is disseminated these days.”

I agree on what Phillips said because whatever the system goes in the internet, trolls will find more ways to troll other person even if they make an effort out of it. Trolls are good on mocking other person in every way possible even if they are losing but still you take the bait, they always win.

BlogPost 5 : Trolling or Cyber-bullying?

In the increase of population of internet users, many of people are being active online. Many of us has a different taste when using the internet, some do it for good and some are just a scum and being an asshole on everyone in said community for example there are the trolls who is expert on flame wars and there is cyber-bullies who literally doesn't stop until their victims gives up. What are their difference? In this post I'll debunk what is the comparison and difference in them.

I read the article entitled, "Trolling or Cyberbullying? Or Both?", by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann. The short version of the article is they have similarities but they are not the same because the trolling is just for fun for the trolls and cyber-bullying is used to humiliate the victim until the person quits.

According to Lohmann, "The sole purpose of trolling is angering people and Cyber-bullying is deliberate and repeated harm inflicted through using the Internet"

I agree on what Lohmann said, because that is what the troll wants to only anger their victim and gain happiness out of it while Cyber-bullies just want to ruin the psychology of their victim and make it over and over again until it snaps.

I read another article entitled, "Difference Between a Troll & a Cyberbully", by Micah McDunnigan. The article proves that troll and cyber-bullies are different even though they are in the same concept but trolling is just trolling and cyber-bullying can hurt psychology if exceeds.

According to McDunnigan, "Trolls seek to rile online communities and attract attention to themselves, while cyber-bullies just want to use the Internet to hurt their victims."

I agree on what she said because the trolls are fun even if they are pain in the ass sometimes but what they do is art, they make the internet a fun place because of their humor and wit while the cyber-bullies is just a scum that doesn't belong in the internet.

BlogPost 4 : Trolling Unmasked.

Nowadays internet is a very important tool in our lives because it is easy to avail and our technology is more advance that is why people are easy to go online. Some people are using it for their jobs and stuffs but for some they just using the internet to troll online. Technically today, trolling is a trend in the internet where literally disrespect or to mock someone without any intentions in other words it is just random. My questions is why are some people are so mean and disrespectful online? For this post I will unmask the trolls of the internet.

I read the article entitled, "Troll Psychology: Why People Are So Mean on the Internet", by Amanda Gardner. This article means that with all of us has a freedom of speech and without physical interaction to the person you talk to, trolls can do whatever they want to say online and some trolls exceeds to the extent they become cyber-bullies.

According to Rego(Director of Psychology Training), “It’s no one’s fault per se but if we can recognize that we’re vulnerable to this, awareness can lead to change.”

Practically I agree on what Simon Rego said, because you can't get rid of the trolls who is online 24/7 and you can't blame or stop them for trolling you or any other people because that is what they are, the best way is to be aware and ignore them so you won't get trolled in other words just stop feeding them because being gullible is that's what they want and why they troll you in the first place.

I read another article entitled, "Why Is Everyone On The Internet So Angry?", by Kellie Foxx-Gonzalez. This summary of this article is that the entire internet population are at least did some trolling or being an asshole in online even if they are good or bad ones in real life but we can lessen cyber-bullying by our own self by helping others online.

According to Foxx-Gonzalez, "Let’s stop leveraging our power to hurt other people, and when the shit hits the fan, let’s try to be kind to those being hurt and offer words of support. When you see a marginalized group or person under attack, step up and help them."

I agree on what Foxx said, even we are only online all people on the internet is still one community, a person can help another person no matter what. That is the humane thing to do even in real life, helping other person even it is only in the internet it is a huge boost to the person you help with and it can reduce cyber-bullying in a huge amount.

BlogPost 3 : Debunking the Troll's mind.

The internet is useful nowadays others used it for games, research and stuff but for the Internet trolls they are using it for trolling. Well, trolling is a new internet sensation throughout the world wide web and you can see "trolls" in online games, Social medias and other forum base websites. I have many encounters with the Internet trolls, they are so witty and literally annoying and for others they are nightmare. So, what is their motive to do such thing?

I read the article, "Inside the Mind of an Internet Troll", by Kim Fischer. The article is about what are the mentality of an Internet troll and why they are trolling random strangers in the internet and what motivates them to do such thing.

According to Gillingham(Admitted Internet Troll),"The internet is just full of people with too much time on their hands or people who are looking for a reason to be upset at something and that's where I think I come in. These people are looking for a reason to be upset, and I will gladly give them one."

In other words the internet has many users they have what we called "own taste" and some person are too gullible what they are reading on the internet. I agree with Gillingham, internet has bunch of retards who is easily to deceive what they are reading, the best example is the satire news which is many people will believe and they have been trolled big time.

I read another article about this topic, "What is trolling, and why do we behave so differently online?", by Stephen Webster. The summary of this article is that in real life we have set of rules and norms that make us good person but on the internet there is no boundaries of set of rules and norms that we became a troll that literally can do anything online.

According to Webster, "Seeing other people behaving in the same way may help to normalise and maintain what is unpleasant behaviour - so it’s cognitive dissonance in action."

In other words Internet trolls tend to troll someone if their beliefs doesn't fit on the person they are trolling. Basically they troll you because you don't have the same point of view I agree what Webster said because I have encountered many trolls and what I have experienced is if they disagree with you they will keep pushing their views until you submit.

BlogPost 2 : Troll or Should I say Trolls.

So you guys want to know about trolls of the internet?? well, let me give you some background what kinds of trolls lurking in the internet. So, what is an Internet Troll?

Well, literally someone who likes to troll a person who either intentionally or pointlessly yells and swears and insults someone with no or some purpose. They are usually spawned by arguments, disagreements, errors on grammar or just hatred. 

Base on my experience and observation about them is that trolls are literally all over the internet as in even in Online games, forums, community, bulletin boards, and specially on social-medias. 

Being a 9gagger(which I said in my last post) and a Internet addict slash gamer, just ignore the trolls and they will stop instantly. *I'd love to call it, "Stop feeding the trolls."* that's my only opinion to avoid them.
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I read the article, "Internet trolls: a guide to the different flavours", by Claire Hardaker. The summary of the article is that trolls has a different kinds, a troll just having fun not really annoying but a little and there are the ones that is really pain in the ass that annoys you whether you like it or not.

According to Hardaker, "Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of my research is the general view – not just socially, but legally and politically too – of online misbehaviours and crimes."

The quotation said is that you will be demoralized when you deal in a lot of trolls for their trolling, it maybe fun but it is damaging for the sensitive ones, I do agree with the author but the internet is full of them and you will get trolled whether you like it or not and they will get away with it because it is the internet.

I read another article about this topic, "13 Types Of Troll You’ll Meet On The Internet", by Robin Edds. In other words article states that there is literally dozens maybe more of these Internet Trolls you will find across the Internet World Wide Web(WWW), and what characteristics do they have.

According to Edds, "The concept of trolling isn't necessarily wrong. Sometimes people say stupid things, and they deserve to be gently ribbed. Occasionally you’ll see someone write something you don’t agree with, and of course you have the right to reply. Keep your tongue in your cheek, don’t be cruel, and wonderful things can happen."

I agree on the quotation above said by Rob Edds, because you won't get trolled if your post is not literally stupid or doesn't make any sense. We control what we post and stuff we put in the internet so the risk is ours, and getting trolled means you have made some mistakes that has to be change, so for the future post you won't getting trolled by the troll.


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"Grammar Nazis."

Please be good to me. :)

BlogPost 1: Troll this, Troll that.

What is Trolling??

Technically it is to make a deliberately offensive or provocative online posting with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them. in other words it is pranking in real life but this time you will be basically a douchebag on the internet. 

I have tons of experience of trolls, being a 9gagger, spends time playing online games and surfing on facebook, I've seen them basically trolling someone in action and they are quite good for their sarcasm and the "trolled" (basically refers them the "victim" of the trolls) they just keep feeding the trolls. *it may refer to believe in what sarcasm that trolls saying to them* 

My opinion about them is if you don't believe anything what they are saying or just simply detect the sarcasm they are giving you in other words "STOP FEEDING THEM WITH YOUR ATTENTION".

I read the article, "Scientific proof that trolls are ruining the Internet" by Zach Epstein.

The summary of the article is they want to have a troll-guard thing to lessen the trolls throughout the forums, blogs, news sites, social media networks and any other page that supports open discussions so it will be much friendlier for the netizens/users.

According to Epstein, "Internet trolls are not a new phenomenon, but people have yet to find a way to effectively stop these woeful web goers from spoiling the fun for the rest of us." 

In other words trolls are like stains of the whole internet, well, I beg to disagree because without trolls there will be no fun, no contradictions or maybe no one will read the forum or blog, trolling is sometimes amusing and a little bit interesting because it adds up to the story so without them the story wouldn't be a trend.

I read another article about this topic., "Your Online Secrets" by Jennifer Golbeck, Ph.D.  

To make it short trolls will just literally do anything to get your attention and contradict your point of view, they will lie and even exaggerate just to mock you, so next time if you encounter a troll just remember "Don't feed the troll", means just ignore them.

In a study done by Paul D. Trapnell & Company, it was mentioned, "Both trolls and sadists feel sadistic glee at the distress of others. Sadists just want to have fun ... and the Internet is their playground!"

The quotation above is if you keep feeding them your attention and it irritates you, they are just happy to see you suffer. that's the basic rule for them, they fed on your stupidity for being a gullible bastard. I agree with the author because that's what trolls do, they will lie and cheat literally just to mock you, my example is myself, I do troll sometimes but not the extent of making it a habit out of it but just to see someone getting trolled is fun to watch and entertaining at the same time.

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So if you guys getting trolled just remember "Don't feed the troll."