The Ripple Effect of Trolling:
Who Teaches Youngsters to Troll?
In recent weeks, we were reminded of the devastating impact that trolling can have on young lives. A Brisbane schoolgirl, after enduring three years of relentless online bullying, tragically took her own life. This heartbreaking event raises an essential question: Where do adolescents learn this kind of behavior?
The answer lies with adults. Children and adolescents learn by observing the behaviour of those around them. When they witness adults engaging in online trolling—whether it’s anonymous insults, abuse, coordinated attacks, or attempts to discredit someone—they can internalize that behaviour as normal or acceptable.
The consequences of these 'lessons' can be catastrophic.
Trolling and cyberbullying are not victimless. They can leave deep emotional scars, and in the worst cases, lead to tragic outcomes, as happens all too often.
In Australia alone, the number of suicides linked to online harassment and bullying continues to rise every year. The loss of even one child is too many, yet we are losing far more than that. The statistics show that on average 3 children take their lives each week in Australia. The estimate is that 2 out of 3 have been victims of online bullying
So I ask this question to those who engage in trolling: If you could save the life of one child by ceasing to troll others, would you do that?
If your answer is yes, then you have a responsibility to stop the cycle of online hate. If, after reading this, you continue with your trolling behavior, that in itself would be an answer—a reflection of who and what you truly are.
Consider this: The annual statistics of child suicides linked to trolling behavior are a sobering reminder of the consequences.
If you engage in trolling, you may already have contributed to these tragic numbers. Even if your role is never identified, you would be no less guilty.
The time to act is now. You must break this cycle, not just for yourself, but for the sake of the younger generations who are watching and learning from you. Be the role model they deserve. End trolling—because a single life saved is worth more than all the harmful words ever spoken online.
Did you notice how the other blog quickly turned the discussion away from the destructive nature of Trolling to being about them? They don't want to continue the discussion because it reveals what they are and in doing that they actually did reveal what they truly are.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, the task of isolating and blocking destructive troll activity across the blog space is a huge job as their comments clearly show. I will continue my efforts on other forums and by other channels. It's apparent that the others you refer to simply do not care about the impact they have on the behaviour of young children and the dreadful consequences.
ReplyDelete