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Cited by 40Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionHumor Studies and ApplicationsHate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection

The Disinhibiting Effects of Anonymity Increase Online Trolling

Open access
Nitschinsk, Lewis, Tobin, Stephanie J., Vanman, Eric J.·2022·Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
DOI 10.1089/cyber.2022.0005
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Abstract

Research assessing online trolling—a behavior designed to trigger or antagonize other users for entertainment—has largely focused on identifying individual differences that underlie the behavior. Less attention has been given to how situational factors influence trolling, such as the disinhibiting effects of anonymity. In this study, we evaluated the roles of both individual differences and levels of anonymity in online trolling. We assessed these through experimentation, a relatively novel approach in trolling research. Australian undergraduate students (n = 242, 167 women, 75 men, Mage = 21.18) were allocated to one of three conditions: an anonymous condition where they were not visible to one another, an identifiable condition where they were visible to one another, or an external condition where they completed the study outside of a controlled laboratory environment. Participants first read a short news article before interacting in an online group discussion where participants could chat freely. The first comment participants wrote was later coded for trolling. Participants also completed assessments of psychopathy, sadism, and a global assessment of trolling. As predicted, participants in the anonymous condition trolled more than those in the identifiable condition. No differences were seen between these two conditions and the external condition. Analyses also revealed that sadism and global trolling were positively associated with trolling in the chat room, but psychopathy showed no association. These results demonstrate the importance of both individual differences and the disinhibiting effects of anonymity when investigating the complex nature of trolling.

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Crossref · 10.1089/cyber.2022.0005

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  • Anonymity of social media may embolden some people to express views and emotions they may not disclose in face-to-face interactions.

    “The anonymity of social media may also embolden some people to express views and emotions they may not disclose in face-to-face interactions (Nitschinsk et al. 2022, Zimmerman & Ybarra 2016)”

    From Social Media and Morality. (2024) · cites this paper as Nitschinsk et al. 2022

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Authors
Nitschinsk, L., Tobin, S. J., & Vanman, E. J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Queensland University of Technology (AU)
Corresponding author
Nitschinsk, Lewis
ORCID
Venue
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2022-06-01
Volume
25
Issue
6
Pages
377-383
ISSN
  • 2152-2715 (ISSN-L)
  • 2152-2723
DOI
10.1089/cyber.2022.0005
OpenAlex
W4280574691
Cited by
40
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9
FWCI
6.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Humor Studies and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
Keywords
trolling, anonymity, disinhibition, situational factors, individual differences, psychopathy, sadism, online group discussion, chat rooms
MeSH terms
Adult, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Attention, Australia, Female, Humans, Male, Sadism, Students, Young Adult

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