Internet trolls and getting caught

[lushlala]

Recently, I was shocked to hear someone unashamedly say they bully people, strangers over the net just for the fun of it! I mean, this person actually thinks it's funny, and derives a lot of pleasure from making someone's life a misery. I suppose maybe because it brings the person down to their level, because I truly believe the reason trolls are the way they are is partly because they are very sad, lonely people. Not that I feel sorry for them, there's just no excuse for their behaviour.

 

[Gabe]

Recently, I was shocked to hear someone unashamedly say they bully people, strangers over the net just for the fun of it! I mean, this person actually thinks it's funny, and derives a lot of pleasure from making someone's life a misery. I suppose maybe because it brings the person down to their level, because I truly believe the reason trolls are the way they are is partly because they are very sad, lonely people. Not that I feel sorry for them, there's just no excuse for their behaviour.

I have a friend who was cyber bullied at school and even though it was over 15 years ago, it still scars her and she is a tough cookie. Just like it's wrong to to lie about someone or hit them, doing it online is no different, except it is preserved on the web. I am shocked some people have responded that they think it's harmless fun, but when someone loses their job because they are being trolled or they take their own lives or fall into depression is that fun or right? Of course it's wrong, one may say don't take it seriously, but why do it in the first place? Think about if someone did that to your sibling or parents, would it be fun for them?

 

[bala]

I have a friend who was cyber bullied at school and even though it was over 15 years ago, it still scars her and she is a tough cookie. Just like it's wrong to to lie about someone or hit them, doing it online is no different, except it is preserved on the web. I am shocked some people have responded that they think it's harmless fun, but when someone loses their job because they are being trolled or they take their own lives or fall into depression is that fun or right? Of course it's wrong, one may say don't take it seriously, but why do it in the first place? Think about if someone did that to your sibling or parents, would it be fun for them?

The offenders must learn to think of themselves in the position of the one they are trolling.They feel the individuals dont have a life at all and can be toyed with easily.
A shame it has evolved like this.
This is more like "ragging" but maybe online/physical.

 

[IshieVonDyson]

True enough, it’s not as if the chances are remote that severe cyberbullying would happen to me, or to any of us here. And of course it’s not right or fair. I’m not saying people shouldn’t be punished for these things at all, ever. Some trolling could be considered terroristic threatening, for sure.

I suppose what I mean is I’d like a clear definition of what exactly constitutes a jailable offense, what severity corresponds to what sentence, etc. should something like this come to pass in my own country. Some people can brush these things off, some can’t, and some trolling is far more severe than other types. And occasionally non-trolling could be perceived as trolling. I can’t help but feel like there’d be potential for abuse on both sides. Like, what happens if someone takes a non-trolling debate far too personally? I’ve seen this happen many times elsewhere. I like to think people would know the difference, but it would still be troublesome and detrimental to both sides.

And from a troll’s perspective? I’m sure at least some would try to rise to the challenge of an anti-trolling law. Few things could bring them more satisfaction than knowing they’re able to circumvent laws meant to bring them to justice. So it’s a nice idea in theory, but I’d have to see the results in practice before I could say I’m behind it 100%.

 

[Gabe]

I suppose what I mean is I’d like a clear definition of what exactly constitutes a jailable offense, what severity corresponds to what sentence, etc. should something like this come to pass in my own country. Some people can brush these things off, some can’t, and some trolling is far more severe than other types. And occasionally non-trolling could be perceived as trolling. I can’t help but feel like there’d be potential for abuse on both sides. Like, what happens if someone takes a non-trolling debate far too personally? I’ve seen this happen many times elsewhere. I like to think people would know the difference, but it would still be troublesome and detrimental to both sides.

And from a troll’s perspective? I’m sure at least some would try to rise to the challenge of an anti-trolling law. Few things could bring them more satisfaction than knowing they’re able to circumvent laws meant to bring them to justice. So it’s a nice idea in theory, but I’d have to see the results in practice before I could say I’m behind it 100%.

Trolling a victim or a celebrity or a member of their family can be construed as a threat and the law is developing here where trolls are being caught and punished. Most come out with the line,' I was online, I didn't think it counted,'. Some recent incidents were a celebrity's daughter was trolled with people saying she deserved to get raped and that people would rape her if they saw her due to a comment they made about rape, another was a random person making a comment about a murdered teacher.

Yes some will try to challenge it, but everyone can get caught.