What is it?
Imagine you're watching a YouTube video when you notice that people have posted nasty comments to try to start an argument - this is an example of online trolling. An online troll is a person who tries to start arguments by posting mean or controversial content online.
Why do people do it?
There has been little research to date on the causes, motivations and effects of trolling. There have been some high-profile cases of trolling targeted towards celebrities in the media but it's important to remember that it can happen to anyone. Research has found that the common motivations behind online trolling can be categorised into 'boredom, attention seeking and revenge'. (Scachaf & Noriko, 2010)
Is it illegal?
Online trolling is a type of cyberbullying behaviour; there are several different laws that make acts of trolling illegal:
The Malicious Communications Act (1988) states it is illegal to cause distress or harm to another through electronic communication.
The Prevention from Harassment Act (1997) states that it is a criminal offense to harass others online.
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