Has internet anonymity unleashed a ‘dark demon’ lurking in all of us? Rise of the Trolls is a film that reveals the hard truths surrounding anonymity, dark instincts and freedom on the internet. Smartphones have put the internet into our pockets and billions of people around the world are now connected online. Our lives have improved greatly, but this “freedom” has also made us vulnerable to a new kind of predator – the internet troll. Hiding behind a veil of anonymity, trolls indulge their darkest impulses, attacking whoever they want with impunity. Once you become the target of a Troll, what starts as a minor annoyance can escalate into a living nightmare. But who are Trolls? And will the fight to stop them destroy our personal freedoms? In Rise of the Trolls we meet:
One of the internet’s most notorious trolls, who spends hours every week insulting and infuriating as many people as he can – just for the laughs;
Britain’s most notorious Troll. A young woman who was jailed in England for sending six threatening tweets;
The very first recorded troll in internet history, who led a digital ‘invasion’ of a cat lover’s chat board;
A feminist blogger whose trolls are ramping up their tactics to harass her family;
A Canadian psychologist who published the first-ever study of internet trolls, uncovering the four dark personality traits that drive trolls in their cruelty:
An accused Twitter troll whose precedent-setting court case will affect freedom of speech online worldwide;
A digital forensics expert who tracks down the most technically adept trolls.The advent of the internet has revolutionized the way we live our lives. With smartphones and laptops, we are connected to billions of people around the world. This newfound connectivity has brought many benefits but also exposed us to a new kind of danger – the internet troll. These anonymous hatemongers hide behind screens, using their freedom of expression to harass, intimidate, and bully their targets.
Rise of the Trolls is a documentary that delves deep into the issue of internet anonymity and how it has unleashed a “dark demon” lurking in all of us. Through interviews with experts and victims, the film exposes the hard truths surrounding anonymity, dark instincts and freedom on the internet.
The documentary introduces us to some of the internet’s most notorious trolls, such as the person who spends hours every day insulting and infuriating as many people as he can, simply for the laughs. We also meet Britain’s most notorious troll – a young woman who was jailed for sending six threatening tweets. The first recorded troll in internet history is also featured, who led a digital ‘invasion’ of a cat lover’s chat board.
We also gain insights from a feminist blogger whose trolls are ramping up their tactics to harass her family. A Canadian psychologist published the first-ever study of internet trolls, uncovering the four dark personality traits that drive trolls in their cruelty. A precedent-setting court case involving an accused Twitter troll will affect freedom of speech online worldwide. Additionally, a digital forensics expert is interviewed, who tracks down the most technically adept trolls.
The documentary makes us ponder – who are trolls, and what motivates them? Can we put a stop to their malicious activities without destroying our personal freedoms? The film does not provide all the answers but presents the issue in a compelling and thought-provoking way.
Overall, the documentary Rise of the Trolls is an eye-opening experience that takes the viewer on a journey through the underbelly of the internet. It shows how anonymity has created a space for trolls to indulge their darkest impulses, attacking whoever they want with impunity. Watching the documentary will make you question our reliance on technology and challenge your beliefs about the internet and free speech.
If you’re interested in exploring the dark side of the internet and want to gain insights into trolling and online harassment, the Rise of the Trolls documentary is a must-watch. Be prepared to be shocked and appalled, yet also enlightened and empowered, by this cautionary tale of internet anonymity gone awry.
