This semester we have talked about all the dangers or the “dark side” of the internet. Since it’s creation in 1966, the internet has provided the world with power and knowledge, but with that power there is always the risk of danger.
One of the biggest dangers of the internet is trolling, or people who purposely go online to harass others and cause emotional distress which sometimes can lead to more serious actions. We went over some extreme cases of cyberbullying or online stalking and it proved how much damage the freedom of internet can cause in real life.
The trouble with trolls is that sometimes they can be hard to detect due to the anonymity and freedom the internet provides people, you never know who in reality is behind the screen name. The Huffington Post recently posted this article that help provides people with advice on how to spot a troll before any damage is done.
When it comes to trolls, they dance on a fine line of freedom of speech, and potential harm. Although the have their natural rights of saying whatever they want online, trolls find a way to turn that freedom into harassment sometimes which is why the law has been getting strict when it comes to online forums.
There have been extremes such as suicides, stalking, and attempted kidnappings based from what online trolls said. The issue also lyes with the difference in FtF and CMC communication, when there is a screen between the words people don’t feel the responsibility of their words.
There are plenty of real world examples out there that prove the harm of trolls, but articles like this and “Megan’s Right” puts efforts into preventing more serious outcomes of cyberbullying.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/12/women-trolled-internet_n_6077234.html
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