Thursday, August 23, 2012

Distinguishing trolling and cyberbullying

The previous articles and topics I have discussed have often interchanged trolling and cyberbullying so let us review how these terms are defined


From Urban Dictionary:

Definition "troll":
"One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument."
Definition of "cyberbully":
"To cyberbully is to tease, make fun of, or insult a person on the internet. Basically acting like a tough guy or a bully on the internet. " 
 
In my own words, a troll's goal is to simply to have fun; while cyberbullies have a rather personal intention. This also means that trolls and cyberbullies band together in common occasions; the cyberbully brutally does the damage; while trolls carry the entire "attack". 

For the most part, I guess you all get the picture in comparing and contrasting the two. Now, I want to pose a challenge. Trolls vs. Cyberbullies! Which group is the most annoying scum-machine in the planet?

1. Intolerance 
Winner: Trolls (close call)
Cyberbullies may not give up until they see someone finally crack up or ignore them, but trolls on the other hand want that attention in the first place; therefore, their egos are their curse. They eagerly wait for that gullible feedback to start their stupidity. And when they get caught red-handed, they become very alarmed and restless. Basically, their a bunch of little kids.

2. Impact
Winner: Trolls
If it weren't for Anonymous, trolls are total losers. I can still recall my first impression with Anonymous was filled with skepticism of internet activism. When I have learned more about it, I realized that they're just abusing their power to seek worldwide attention. Nevertheless, their impact recently has become huge, and will continue to expand a few years to come. Cyberbullies are simply labeled as juveniles or mean-spirited people. Nothing more, nothing less.

3. Creativity
Winner: Trolls (by a mile)
Trollface? 9gag? 4chan? Anonymous? Fad t-shirts? A trillions of meme posts anyone? Their creativity shall stretch to infinity...

4. Threat
Winner: Cyberbullies (close call)
Sure, Anonymous hacking employee credit cards are terrible and newsworthy, but nothing beats harming people physically and mentally. That's what cybercullies do to people: they manipulate and inflict your own pain while they laugh their victims in front of the computer screen not knowing the consequences taking hold. Now, that's tragic,

5. Relevance
Winner: Cyberbullies (by a mile)
See the #4.

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