Why are trolls online so mean?

[Cecily]

Originally Posted by unsunghero [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Jim’s a pretty nice dude, so I’ll say nice contribution, sir

I only had skimmed that explanation, but I’ll still defer to my simpler one that everyone already knows: anonymity makes monsters. The vast majority of the “trolls” online wouldn’t say the stuff to a stranger IRL

They likely do it because it entertains them, and some may think it entertains others. I don’t see it as all that different than an IRL bully: they want to get some kind of a reaction

You're conflating online trolling with IRL bullying. They really aren't the same thing. And bullshit the same people don't talk just as much shit IRL. Some people aren't pussies.

"Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception of an imbalance of physical or social power. This imbalance distinguishes bullying from conflict."

"In Internet slang, a troll is a person who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, a newsgroup, forum, chat room, online video game, or blog, with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses, or manipulating others' perception."