Trolling and the Personality Traits Behind It.
The TIME article in the learning materials for this module shows that, while some may dismiss trolls as harmless pranksters, they often exploit anonymity on social media to harass, embarrass, or intimidate others. The article provides many insights into how trolling can cause stress, anxiety, and fear for personal safety, particularly on platforms like X, which often fosters a culture of trolling and hostility. Many users on X seem to enjoy watching others get trolled, and trolling has increasingly become a form of entertainment.
As part of the Tumblr assignment, I watched a video by Pamela Jo Brubaker on combating internet trolls. The video explores the personality traits of people who engage in trolling, such as Machiavellianism and narcissism, and emphasizes the importance of understanding these traits for responsible social media use and for promoting empathy toward victims. In the TEDx video, Brubaker also highlights that we should not feed the trolls and encourages bringing humanity, love, and respect to online interactions.
What stood out to me the most was learning how people’s negative online activities, such as trolling, are often deeply rooted in their personality traits of Machiavellianism and narcissism, showing that trolling is more than casual misbehavior and reflects underlying behavioral patterns.