It's not a face to face situation, so people feel they can say whatever they like without fear of any reprisals. Ironically most of these keyboard warriors are pretty timid in real life but come online they come across as a right hard guy. It's all really silly but I suppose it's what they will do.
For me I think it's simply because they're sat behind a keyboard and a screen so they think it gives them the excuse to say (type) whatever they want and get away with it. Face to face, most of the trolls wouldn't say anything and in that sense they have no backbone. Commenting on something online is their way of getting attention in what is often a sad and pathetic life they lead.
Yeah, that's the only reason actually: ANONYMITY. When you have that option, you're bound to be overconfident and overstep your boundaries. And that is why BULLYING is so rampant on the internet. One, you won't be held responsible for the crime since you're faceless, nameless...you're anonymous. Two, you won't feel as shameful because you are, again, anonymous. Three, you get to show your true colors because you cannot be tracked down. And that's why many people bully others in the internet.
I agree to some extent but I hate how the word troll has evolved into the meaning of someone expressing a view with which someone else does not agree with. For instance saying you don't like someone's dress is now considered as trolling. Yeah though, a lot of people dish out insults and threats because they are behind a screen and think they are immortal, and I think it goes for a lot more people as well. For instance looking at some Youtube comments, I doubt most of those people would say the same thing if there were all in the same room together.
I agree with what most of the members have said regarding anonymity. People tend to become careless and braver in insulting others because of the protection of anonymity. Some may have some insecurities or might e having a bad day and they think of lashing out on people they don't really know anything of and the perfect place for them is through the web.
This. It's just so easy and safe. They don't dare to do it face to face but now they can do it online since they know that they are safe.
I believe these are the people who are afraid to speak up face to face and find comfort online. It is easier to be tough when you are hiding behind monitor, nicknames and avatars. I guess there are some people who just like to get reactions from other people and they do it for the sake of fun. Personally I do this but only with close friends on Facebook. We mock each other creating small blogs of our status. It is something we do.
I have found that it happens more on forums where there are a large number of people. Somebody likes to say things to get things going but then they get rude and things turnot nasty really quick. I usually just opt out of conversations when they turn that way. It is one thing to get your point across and to express your feelings but it is another thing to be downright rude and ignorant.
Like the others have said, it is the fact that they are hiding behind a computer and feel some sort of power from that. It is really sick and twisted in a way and I think it makes them weak. I used to write for a site and this lady would spend a lot of time attacking me. It was unprovoked because I had never talked to her before. I just ignored her and she eventually went away.
When there's no risk of getting your face bashed in for talking trash, people will say any and everything they want. On top of that, however, it has to be said that with the level of stupidity that one is exposed to constantly while browsing the web, it can be extremely difficult to keep calm sometimes.
