When I am online, although I do not see it often, I see trolling. I read anonymous posts filled with negative comments and rude remarks. However, in places where speaking to someone face to face is required, such as at school or in other public places, I do not see people being harsh or mean when talking to others. I can almost guarantee that some of these people I see in my daily life troll online. They are not rude in person, only when they are on the internet.
Sometimes online, being anonymous is an option. But, on some sites, a name and perhaps a picture is required to make an account in order to post or comment. I always thought that trolls only made condescending comments when they could be anonymous and when it would be nearly impossible to track down who they are. But even on those websites where anonymity is not allowed and it is an easy task to find out who is posting or who is commenting, some people still choose to troll. I have always wondered what makes people think that is okay to be a bully or harass someone online but not okay to do it to someone in person.
I always assumed that people felt comfortable hiding behind the anonymity and the fact that no one, besides the police or computer geniuses, would be able to track down people who chose to be anonymous online. But, I now believe it is not just that they are able to be anonymous, but that they are able to hide at home behind a screen and can still express negative thoughts and feelings towards others.
What do you think? Do you think people choose to harass online because they are able to be anonymous or do you believe that being able to hide behind a screen is what makes trolls have the courage to be mean online, but not in person?
I think it's easier to harass people online due to the fact that you can't really see the person your talking to. Without a face to face interaction there's very little emotional attachment to anyone you'll be conversing with. Someone can basically say what they want and not have to deal with any immediate consequences.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an interesting point, Lizzie. I have always lumped anonymity and the ability to hide behind a screen together as one, but they are essentially two different things. Like you said, trolls don't even need to be anonymous anymore to post mean or unnecessary comments. They just do it because they feel like it. This would mean that trolls do so because they can hide behind a screen. They can't see how the other person reacts to their comments and other people won't know that it's them doing the harassing. I think what Mark said about the whole "little emotional attachment" thing is true. Being online allows a person to desensitize themselves from any emotion they might feel towards anyone else. They won't feel remorse or guilty, and they can continue living their life.
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