The exponential growth of social media across the globe has provided a universal platform to the people who now can effectively voice & share their views with the society at large. As soon these platforms began to expand, a myriad of virtual communities have come into existence.
Being able to instantly communicate with the people, businesses have also grown considerably. These social websites and applications host a large number of advertisements also that pumps in requisite funds for its smooth functioning. Even people are able to monetize from the content they share on these platforms subject to public outreach. There is a symbiotic economical system at work where both the developers of these websites and users can have monetary benefits.
People are now able to communicate with their celebrities through applications like Twitter. They write appreciations for their stars and even feel overjoyed when their comments are liked back.
However, to spoil this joy there exists another term in social media called ‘Trolling’. Trolls are persons who intentionally rake up a pointless and uncivilized conversation or comments that often affect the mental well-being of the person being trolled.
The psychological effects of trolling are destructive that may lead to insomnia, distress, inferiority complex and even suicidal ideation. Studies have revealed that trolls mostly have personality traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, & psychopathy due to which they exhibit such behaviours online. But the effects on the person being trolled are immense while the trolling person doesn’t even feel offended by destroying the persona of others.
The same kind of trolling happened in recent days when 12th exam topper Aroosa Parvaiz was trolled by some online netizens for not covering her head. Though it was not a matter of great deal but everyone tries to play saint while judging others. Those persons must realize that such caustic trolling has serious repercussions that can affect the very mental health of the person being trolled.
We as people must realise that humanity is a quality that needs to be exhibited everywhere and all the time, whether in the physical world or online.
