If you’re a woman navigating the vast expanse of the internet, the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of you having encountered a male troll—like, 99% chance. And if you haven’t? Please, do share your secret, because these guys are everywhere. A recent study has validated what many women online have known all along: men are more likely to engage in trolling behavior. The punchline? This tendency is tied to their antisocial and narcissistic traits.
Kudos to the researchers from Brunel University and Goldsmiths, University of London, for delivering this revelation. But I can already hear the chorus of men (and some women) crying out #notallmen. My eyes are rolling so hard I might just get a headache.
The study used Facebook as its primary social media platform, categorizing users into two groups: prosocial (those who connect and nurture relationships) and antisocial (those who seek attention through trolling). Women typically use Facebook in a prosocial way, while men often gravitate towards the antisocial route, reveling in being jerks for no good reason. This behavior aligns with tendencies toward narcissism.
Any woman who has faced a male troll online will undoubtedly respond with a resounding “no kidding.” As a woman who engages with social media daily, I can attest to the trolls lurking in the comments section. As a writer with my work published online, the frequency of male trolls is even higher. While I try my best to brush it off, their comments can still sting and frustrate.
Though this study focused on Facebook, we all know Twitter is like a breeding ground for narcissistic male trolls. It’s as if they’re cockroaches; you just can’t seem to rid the site of them. The level of misogyny varies widely in their comments. I once had a stranger declare that if my ex was suitable enough to father a child with, he was good enough to marry. I nearly fell off my chair laughing. I’ve also encountered plenty of mansplainers, but the real gems are those who twist your own words in an attempt to undermine you.
Since last August, it feels like the number of narcissistic male trolls has skyrocketed, largely due to the most prominent narcissist tweeting from the highest office in the land. His constant griping and personal vendettas serve as a textbook example of antisocial internet use.
“Individuals with narcissistic tendencies can react with hostility to comments they view as negative,” explained social psychologist Lila Carter, one of the team members behind the study. Interestingly, the research was conducted by three female psychologists—Carter, Maya Thompson, and Jenna Lee—who were inspired to investigate after being trolled online themselves. This study is the first of its kind, according to Brunel University.
The link between trolling and narcissism is particularly revealing. Previously assumed, the research now provides evidence to support this connection. When you confront a narcissist about their behavior, they somehow manage to shift the blame back to you. Male fragility and narcissism seem to be rampant online, and women who challenge it often find themselves under attack. “Behind these hostile actions is often an attempt to reclaim power and self-worth,” Carter added, which makes perfect sense. By targeting women online, these men are trying to regain whatever control they feel they’ve lost.
However, the researchers were quick to clarify that women can also be trolls, albeit typically in a different manner. Male trolls, driven by their narcissism, often escalate their attacks, making them more personal and engaging others in the fray. I’ve witnessed this firsthand, and I bet you have too.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution to this problem. We can’t simply banish all men from social media or require them to complete a course in basic decency before creating an account. So, we’ll continue to confront these trolls head-on and call out their behavior. Not remaining silent is our most powerful weapon.
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In summary, the study highlights the prevalence of narcissistic behavior among male trolls, confirming what many women have long suspected. While women can also engage in trolling, male trolls are typically more aggressive and personal in their approach.