Misconduct At Its Finest

Since I was a kid, my mom has taught me that if I couldn’t say anything nice I shouldn’t speak at all. As a result, when I disagreed with someone I wouldn’t express it verbally; rather in most situations I would keep it to myself. I find it quite helpful since it reduces the chance of conflict. Although keeping opinions to oneself lessens the chance of controversy, how can one share their point of view without offending someone?

There’s a fine line in having an opinion: it’s either standing behind your point of view or being rude and obnoxious about it.  The distinction between the two is the true motive behind one’s opinion. The internet and social media has provided a way for bloggers to voice their opinion about a specific topic, yet at the same time it has given free access for “internet trolls” to voice their opinion as well. Internet trolls are defined as those who simply spread negativity and downgrade another’s work online. Internet trolling is misconduct at its finest. 

Most of the time internet trolls comment on one’s post about a controversial topic. These trolls feel that have such a strong point of view that when they read something that contradicts their view point they feel the need to attack. A possible example could be the criticism received from a blogger that posted a pro-choice article. Criticism isn’t a bad thing, but it becomes a form of “internet trolling” when one says condescending comments like “pro-choice activists are baby killers”. Another example is when Lindy West was highly criticized for her article on rape. One of West’s internet trolls went to the extreme extent to create a fake account of her deceased father just because he disagreed with her.

Internet trolling isn’t only found in postings about controversial topics. In some cases, it occurs in innocent online posts – those such as “selfies” or “tweets”. Similar to trolls referenced in fairy tales or classic literature, Internet trolls remain anonymous and share their derogatory comments. They lurk in the dark and hide behind their bright screens. This form of internet trolling is linked to cyber bullying. It could be said out of pure hatred or pure malice or even pure boredom, and their intents are usually motivated by jealousy and envy. People usually hate on others because they are doing something right, or they hate on others because they only see themselves as right. This form of internet trolling has become such a pervasive issue in the digital age that it produces insecurity in teens.

The solution to the issue? At this point in time, there is no way to change the habits of internet trolls. As Farhad Manjoo referenced in his article Web Trolls Winning as Incivility Increases, “Trolling is just a symptom of those of bigger problems. –Dr. Phillips” However there is a way to suppress future internet trolling - which is to keep in mind of the golden rule, “treat others the way that you would want to be treated.” If humans consciously decide to treat others the way that they would want to be treated, there wouldn’t be a problem with the use of social media and other similar devices. If one doesn’t want to receive a bad comment then they shouldn’t post bad comments. Even though someone has a different opinion from you, it isn’t justification for you to be mean. Internet users should improve on the way they respond to a contradictory opinion. Responses and comments should be educated and reasonable. If one can’t say anything nice or polite, they shouldn’t even comment. Rude comments only add to the prevalent activity of internet trolling. I’ve never experienced internet trolling first hand, but I’m confident that I do not want it to happen to me. One should never undergo that type of treatment because it is inhumane and just wrong. The internet wasn’t designed for the purpose of internet trolling. It was designed to better and advance the human race. Internet trolls, like “bridge trolls”, inhibit the progression of mankind.