The Power of Anonymity
It is true that anonymity on online forums and other platforms allows people to say things that they may not say in real life. The anonymity provided by a username and lack of traceability allows people to make explicit and vulgar statements, particularly in the case of trolls who post inflammatory content to cause distress to others. Some argue that the internet can be a breeding ground for racism, sexism, and vulgarity. However, it is worth considering if people would continue to make such statements if anonymity were removed.
Global Political Trolls
Trolling existed long before the advent of social media, and has been a fundamental aspect of the internet for early internet users. However, the nature of internet trolling has changed in recent years. In the last US presidential election, there was an unprecedented amount of negative political ads, which are believed to have originated from the candidates themselves. These ads generated more hate than ever on social media, and this hate continues to persist even after the election. Now, politically motivated trolls often turn every topic into a divisive argument, diminishing the value of social media as experts and well-informed individuals avoid engaging in the conversations. As a result, only the hateful trolls are able to make their voices heard.
Cyber Attack in Twitter Alliance
The problem with social media is not the presence of trolls, but rather the psychology surrounding its use. One troll may not be a significant issue, but when multiple trolls come together, the harassment can become overwhelming. The use of fake accounts and unconnected words is a problem for social media companies like Twitter, which has seen its stock price drop from $69 to $17 in the last three years. The company is struggling and some believe that the hostility on the platform is one contributing factor to its decline. Additionally, trolls can use personal information found online to harass their targets. This has led to potential acquirers such as Disney and Salesforce to be concerned about the negative impact trolls can have on a company’s value.
