User:Shabidoo/troll

Trolls are shitheads who help make the internet toxic by attempting to disrupt, offend, or otherwise attack online communities. Trolls think they're being funny or cool while just about everyone else finds them to be a pestilential waste of time. Ranging from pointless antagonism to full out illegal harassment and death threats, trolls can be anywhere between a pain-in-the-ass to utterly fatal (think swatting). Why do they waste their free time being an asshole online? There are too many factors to count that range between too much free time, seeking attention, personal amusement as well as more worrying factors like anger and resentment and serious mental problems. Frequent methods of expression include social hate such as racist, homophobic (or transphobic), sexist slurs as well as insults, petty criticism, grossly offensive comments, calls to commit suicide and death threats. It is a notorious time waster where the grief caused includes wasted time scrubbing off comments and moderating, costly security measures as well as the personal and emotional toll which can bring anxiety, fear and depression. There is no small number of suicides linked to trolling which, in the most insidious cases is the goal and a satisfying victory. One of the few generalizations that can be made about trolling is that you truly must be either either (or a combination of): angry, lonely, bored or miserable. Chronic trolls are, in no uncertain terms, deeply unhappy people though luckily trolling assistance is available to many trolls who can admit they need help.

Anonymous
Trolling is usually (though certainly not always) more toned down and less common with public accounts. Without anonymous accounts some trolling can land you in prison and other forms of trolling can have you lose your job. However some professional trolls make their living by trolling the internet at large and have a huge fandom through their toxic social media, blogs and youtube meta-trolling.

Forms of trolling
Trolling comes in a various flavors that can range from a random pointless insult to a larger strategic goal (spreading hate or political advocacy). Some trolling can be subtle and hidden (concern trolling). The following lists form of trolling and the serious problems they can cause: