What makes Twitter trolls say things on the Internet that they would never say in person?
Twitter is such a great platform to be able to share and keep in touch with friends and family. It also allows you to stay up to date with the latest gossip and news from your favorite politicians and celebrities.
Much like all the other social media available, Twitter is just one of the platforms that is very prevalent and important in our society. If you aren’t on Twitter than you are basically living under a rock! There are many positive things about Twitter, however trolls are very prevelant and often target prominent figures, specifically female politicians. Just scrolling through Twitter, you can see how easy it can be for a person to post a nasty comment. There has been a lot going on lately in politics and Hillary Clinton and Theresa May have been very hot topics regarding the recent U.S. Election and Brexit. Focusing on these two women, I looked at what people had been saying about them online.
Searching Hillary Clinton’s name on Twitter, the first tweets to pop up: “Ugly vermin Hillary Clinton is back trying to destroy the countries democratic process”. Followed by, “So $1.2 billion dollars couldn’t get that bitch elected… ha ha ha… she’s a criminal #lockherup”. Finally, “Hillary and her campaign are a bunch of butt sore SpiritCoooking demons that know they lost because they hate America! #Trump2016”. These are just some of the few hand selected tweets that I found utterly disgusting and unnecessarily spiteful! All preaching hate towards Hillary Clinton around the time of the elections and even post Trump winning.
Similar things were said about Theresa May when I searched her name in Twitter. People had tweeted things like, “Can Theresa May just fuck off and die”. The second tweet said, “Theresa May should honestly die”. There is repetitive use of hateful and nasty words, in the tweets referring to both of these politicians. Many comments were also releshing in these women’s unhappiness. One person said he would have lovde to see Hillary Clinton crying after she lost to Donald Trump. Just really unnecessarily nasty things were said that could have been reworded in a nicer way… If people cared to consider other people’s feelings.
Majority of the tweets I found, written about Clinton and May were mentioned or tagged in them. This means that the people who wrote the tweets, know there is a possibility that their messages might be seen. Yet, they still chose to post openly nasty comments. What I want to know though, what does this achieve?
These Twitter trolls clearly have no shame or intention to hold back when creating their posts, as they are posting these comments on such a public platform. They are not considering the consequences of their actions and have no regard for these politicians feelings. I think people become very brave when they think that they can hide behind their computer screens. It is almost a way of detaching themselves from what they’ve said, as though they are not responsible!
People tend to share very strong opinions online about all matters but particularly of political leaders. It’s like everyone suddenly becomes a politician and knows exactly what they are talking about. Whereas the reality of it is more like a heard of sheep, following the crowd. I doubt any of these people would have the courage to say these disgusting things to the persons face. Twitter trolls are probably more likely to target politicians with large numbers of followers. Their comments may be bypassed and lost within the huge stream of other tweets…
Trolling happens everyday and not only to politicians but anyone is at risk of being bullied online for one reason or another. Perhaps for simply sharing a different opinion or view. Those who have been greatly effected have been able to taken action, whereas politicians tweets come in at such large quantities. Not all of them could possibly be read.
“I went down the route of shaming, blocking and reporting the people who said the vilest things”- Sarah Moyes on Twitter trolls
In many ways social media is a great thing!.. but sometimes it can just hide cowardice actions and words. All social media platforms including Twitter offers its users the ability to express one’s self without fear of physical consequences. I don’t know if that is doing anyone any good.
It certainly isn’t doing any good to the politicians on the receiving end of the nasty comments. Think about that!
Links:
http://www.health.com/news/troll-psychology-mean-internet
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sarah-moyes/twitter-trolls-gonna-troll_b_6864054.html
