Banishing trolls: Study examines cyberbullying in adolescents

The research project will investigate the motives behind teenage trolling as well as contributing factors to reduce the major threat young Australians are facing online.

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) researcher Dr Jessica Marrington is looking at the behaviours associated with teenage trolling. Picture: USQ

Trolling is on the rise for adolescent Australians with a new study set to investigate the relationship between teenagers and cyberbullying.

The research project by The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will investigate how often young people are the victims and perpetrators of trolling.

It will also examine characteristics associated with online cyberbullying to determine if there is a link that may contribute.

USQ lead researcher Dr Jessica Marrington said research to date has focused on adult trolling with the aim of the project being to investigate what motivates teenagers to engage in the online activity.

“Despite the significant threats experiencing and perpetrating online trolling could pose to teenagers, research to date has primarily focused on adults,” Dr Marrington said.

“It is our hope the findings from this study will contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions and more effective education programs and resources on trolling for young people.”

Dr Marrington said personality, self-esteem, empathy and wellbeing were all characteristics that would be examined along with how and if it contributes to trolling.

“Cyberbullying is a more targeted and repetitive attack with the purpose of causing fear or harm to another person, but online trolling involves posting provocative and antagonistic comments, images, videos or other forms of online content to deliberately start an argument or get attention,” she said.

“Most young people carry out trolling because they think it is funny or harmless, but they may not know it can cause serious emotional and psychological harm to those affected … it can lead to lowered self-esteem, anxiety, depression and in some cases suicide.”

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) researcher Dr Jessica Marrington is looking at the behaviours associated with teenage trolling. Picture: USQ

The USQ lead researcher said cyberbullying and trolling represents anti-social behaviour but also have the potential to get people in trouble legally.

“While online trolling is not classified as illegal activity, there are criminal codes addressing anti-social online behaviours that could resemble trolling behaviours,” Dr Marrington said.

“To reduce instances of these behaviours, a better understanding is required as to why these behaviours occur, particularly in a vulnerable age group.”

Looking for participants aged 13 to 18 years old who use social media, researchers behind the project have launched an online survey.

“This information will be extremely valuable in identifying which variables, such as empathy and self-esteem, are associated with trolling behaviour,” Dr Marrington said.

“These factors are key to being able to develop effective interventions that can minimise trolling behaviours, and therefore reduce the incidences of adverse psychological effects on young Australians.

“I encourage parents to talk to their children about completing the anonymous questionnaire because their answers could go a long way towards stamping out trolling and other forms of anti-social online activity.”

For more information or to participate in the survey click here.