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.
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.
