Trolling Impact
How does trolling affect people and online spaces?
4.1 (28)
43 mins
Discover the psychological and social effects of trolling on individuals and communities, from anxiety and stress to shifts in social dynamics. Uncover the ways trolling shapes online behavior, communication patterns, and broader digital culture, influencing how people interact and express themselves on the internet.
Ep 1:
Anatomy of a Troll
From Vietnam-era bait tactics to modern keyboard warriors, we unpack what trolling really is and trace its devastating ripple effects across creators and the media itself.
Ep 2:
Random Targets, Real Damage
Victims are often chosen at random, like a cruel lottery—we examine coordinated attacks, tragic real-world cases, and the structural power imbalances that let trolls act with impunity.
Ep 3:
Inside the Troll Network
Step inside the hidden communities where trolling is trained, gamified, and weaponized—then zoom out to see how these same tactics fuel political warfare and global unrest.
Ep 4:
Fighting Back and Facing Ourselves
We close with hope and hard truths: practical strategies to protect and heal from harassment, plus an unsettling look at what trolling reveals about mainstream culture itself.
Discussions (13)
Blake
Level 2 · 9 mo agoIt is incorrect to trace the origin to Vietnam pilots. The term comes from fishing. You drag a baited line behind a slow boat and wait for a bite. That is exactly what happens on message boards.
Irvin
Level 5 · 8 mo agoThat Vietnam origin story is incorrect. Trolling comes from the fishing technique of dragging bait. It is about luring a reaction not aerial combat.
John
Level 3 · 8 mo agoJenkem was a classic. The media ate that shit up.
