Are Cyber-trolls and Cyber-Bullies the same thing?

I was thinking about going to bed after moderating my Flickr Groups, but something has inspired me to write this particular blog article. I wish to inform, but I also wish to discuss this important topic.

The subject for this evening is cyber-trolls, and whether or not they can be classified as another type of cyber-bully. I present the following information I have found, so that you can read and draw your own conclusions:

First of all,
What is a cyber-troll?

A Cyber troll is someone who posts a comment in a discussion forum that is either inappropriate or controversial, with the intent on causing confrontation and heated arguments. (www.topix.com and enzinearticles.com).

What do cyber-trolls do?
Like Cyber-bullies, there are different kinds of cyber-trolls, as reported in www.theadminezone.com. Here are only a few that I have chosen to list here:

Shock Patroll: These kind of trolls target discussion forums that are usually used by women and small children (but they do not necessarily limit themselves to that). Often they will send out "distress signals" to get people's sympathy and attention. This kind of emotional manipulation leaves the person who responds to their "distress signal vulnerable" to their attacks.

Master of Illusion: These kind try to make themselves appear to be very trustworthy by their interactions towards their new-found "friends", but in reality they are trying to lull them into a false sense of security:

The Master of Illusion does have a motive. He is looking for personal gain. Either, money for a “sick mother,” or some personal form of satisfaction from manipulation techniques he employs. Perhaps he is searching for those he considers “beneath him,” so he can effectively saw their souls in half with the stroke of a few keys.
(Taken directly from the website.)

The Combat/Ready-to-roll kind: These kind put up a fight and often target admins and moderators of a discussion forum, with the motivation of getting the admins and moderators to start thinking their way. This is especially found in cases where the forum has a stated position.

The Hit-and-run Troll: Like the Master of Illusions, these type of cyber-trolls appear nice at first, then cause the damage they want to cause and quickly exit the scene before anybody can do anything about it.

The Tonya Harding Troll: The Tonya Harding Troll tries to justify his inappropriate behaviour, adament that he is definitely "playing by the rules."

The Toddler Troll: causes major problems when he/she is being ignoredor he/she is not getting his/her own way.

The Alien Troll: shares things that are completely irrelevant and off the topic, usually inappropriate stories.

Of course, there are cyber-trolls who display one or more of these characteristics, so it is would not be accurate to label a cyber-troll to simply one category.

How is this all in relation to cyber-bullying?
One definition of cyber-bullying is the following:
Cyber bullying is the use of modern communication technologies to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or intimidate an individual in the attempt to gain power and control over them.” (Glenn R. Stutzky)
Bullying is all about power, the imbalance and abuse of power.
(taken from www.ippsr.msu.edu)

From what I have been reading so far, the common thread that links cyber bullies and cyber trolls together is the need for control and power. They want to gain enough power so as to be able to abuse and intimidate other online users.

What can I do when I am confronted with a cyber-troll?
With all the examples that "The Admin Zone" gives, the best methods for handling a cyber-troll is to ignore, delete, or ban the troll from the discussion forum.

If you are an admin for a discussion forum, observe very closely the social interactions that are happening between members of the forum. If you feel somebody is acting suspicious or who are displaying some of the characteristics already mentioned, kindly warn that person of their behaviour. If they continue with the inappropriate behaviour, it is important that you maintain the safety of all other group members who are doing the right thing by banning and blocking that member.

If you are not an admin of a discussion forum, yet you see a troll creeping in, it is important that you contact the admin of that forum IMMEDIATELY and report to him/her about the troll's behaviour.

I re-iterate the importance of the right for all online users to feel safe when socializing on the net, and urge all admins/members of discussion forums to take care when dealing with cyber-trolls/cyber-bullies.

References:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dont-Feed-The-Trolls---Dealing-with-Cyber-harassment-&id=230627

http://www.topix.com/forum/afam/T4E5UM596TS73G03H

http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/when-trolls-flame-wars-and-cyber-rage-go-too-far/

http://www.petitiononline.com/helpfurs/petition.html

http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19881

http://www.ippsr.msu.edu/Documents/Forums/2006_Mar_CYBER_BULLYING_INFORMATION_2006%20--%20Provided%20by%20Mr.%20Glenn%20Stutzky.pdf

Not only Children are Cyber Bullies...

Image taken from http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2001/07/03/cyber_bullies/story.jpg


While I was trying to find an appropriate picture to upload for my previous post, I came across the following article that also deserves a mention in this blog. We are all probably familiar with the story:

A jury convicted a woman last Wednesday of three minor offenses in her role in an internet cyber-hoax which likely drove a 13-year old girl to suicide. Although originally charged with felony charges of accessing a computed without authorization to inflict emotional distress, the jury found defendant Lori Drew guilty of three lesser counts including accessing a computer without authorization. The parents of 13 year old Megan Meier alleged that their daughter was a victim of cyber-bullying which led her to commit suicide in October of 2006. Megan who sometimes suffered from low self-esteem was befriended on the social network MySpace by a boy who quickly became friends and eventually built a relationship with her over the network. Weeks later, Megan began to receive cruel messages from the boy’s account calling her a slut, fat and telling her that he no longer wanted to be friends. The cyber exchange devastated Megan, who was unable to understand how and why her friendship unraveled. The stress and frustration was too much for Megan, who had a history of depression.

Following her suicide the parents discovered that the boy never existed in the first place and that it was actually a hoax created by a mother, who had learned of the page from her own daughter and was using the fake boy’s profile to monitor their daughter’s activity. However, once accessing the fake account, Lori Drew began harassing and bullying the young girl until she hung herself in her own closet. Each conviction Drew faces could result in as much as one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Sentencing is likely to be determined by the end of the month. Cyber-bullying is not uncommon among teenagers. In fact, almost one half of teens say they have been a victim at least once. What makes this case so troubling is that the bullying came from an adult and not one of Megan’s peers. The Meier family has since taken up the cause of Internet safety by trying to inform all parents of the dangers of cyber-bullying and pushing for parents to be mindful of their children’s online activities and relationships in the hopes that they can prevent further tragedies.
(Originally published by Mark Eiglarsh on his website.)

This story eliminates the stereotypical image of teenagers/adolescents being the only ones who cyber-bully. Cyber bullies come from all ages, shapes, forms and cultural backgrounds. However, this story also gives us hope, in that we can take steps to ensure that nothing like this tragedy ever happens again.

And Cyber-Bullying continues to thrive...

Image taken from http://www.floridacriminaldefenselawyerblog.com/cyberbully.jpg


I was disturbed to find the following going on in one of the Flickr groups I have recently joined.

I invited the girls involved to join My Flickr Group and to read of my experiences and see what kind of person they have become. Of course, I can only do so much as to persuade them to find a better solution to solve their problems with the person they were writing about. They must form their own opinion on the matter. But I hope that we can help these girls out and try and sort out their problems...