What is a troll?

A troll is someone who purposely tries to upset or annoy others online by posting comments that are inflammatory, off-topic, or offensive. Trolls do this just to get a reaction, often for their own amusement, and aren’t interested in having a real conversation. You’ll usually see them in comment sections, social media threads, and forums, where they jump into discussions to start arguments or spread negativity.

For instance, during a serious discussion on social media, a troll might post something exaggerated or offensive just to make people angry and see the chaos unfold. They tend to focus on sensitive topics because they know it’ll get a bigger reaction.

Since trolls just want attention and enjoy conflict, the best way to deal with them is to ignore their comments instead of responding. They’re not looking for a real conversation, so engaging with them usually just fuels their behavior.