trolling
Fishing while moving
Trolling is deliberately posting provocative or inflammatory content online to get a reaction—stirring up arguments, upsetting people, or derailing discussions for amusement: He's just trolling, don't engage.
The practice ranges from harmless mischief to targeted harassment.
Separately, trolling is a fishing technique where baited lines trail behind a moving boat.
Deliberate deception for effect
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
impersonation · bot · parody · satire · prank · rickroll · misleading · fabrication
Deliberately trying to provoke
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- goadingInciting through persistent pressure
- antagonizingDeliberately causing hostility
- hecklingHostile audience interruption
mockery · ridicule · shitposting · griefing · wind-up · reaction · outrage · sarcasm
Thing that tempts
- baitLure for prey
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- trawlingNet-dragging fishing method
- boatWatercraft for travel
angler · deep-sea · trawler · catch · hook · sinkers · floats · chumming
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
astroturfing · impersonation · bot · parody · satire · prank · rickroll · misleading · fabrication · rumor
baiting
Deliberately trying to provoke
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- goadingInciting through persistent pressure
- antagonizingDeliberately causing hostility
heckling · mockery · ridicule · shitposting · griefing · wind-up · reaction · outrage · sarcasm · derision
lure
Thing that tempts
boat · angler · deep-sea · trawler · catch · hook · sinkers · floats · chumming · downrigger
cyberbullying
Digital intimidation of others
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
flaming · insults · targeting · dogpiling · brigading · doxing · stalking · victimization · pile-on · hate-speech
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- cyberculturecyberculture, internet culture, online communities, virtual communities, memes
- Dot-com Eradot-com crash, bubble burst, irrational exuberance, IPOs, stock speculation
- fishing techniquescasting, reeling, drifting
- gaming problemsbugs, glitches, lag, crashes, cheaters
- smear tacticssmear, smear campaign, mudslinging, attack ads, hit piece
trollingcommunity building
Strengthening collective ties
moderation · helping · mentoring · contributing · supporting
trollingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
supporting · consoling · reassuring · validating · sympathizing
- concern trollingCriticism disguised as care
- trolling motorSmall electric boat propeller
- patent trollingExploiting intellectual property through litigation