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AsapSCIENCE - The Science of Internet Trolls

Thumbnail of the video “AsapSCIENCE - The Science of Internet Trolls”
Community upload. AI output has not been independently verified.
Author: AsapSCIENCE
Categories: Technology Science
Tags: technology, science
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 19:43 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Ignore internet trolls, because negative feedback feeds their behavior and they seek a reaction from others. The video draws on scientific studies that link online trolling to Dark Triad traits, especially sadism, and to antisocial personality patterns that persist offline.

Key Points

  • Approximately 5.6% of individuals self-identify as trolls or say they enjoy trolling online, according to the video.
  • A study of 1,000 internet users found online trolls showed high levels of the Dark Triad traits: psychopathy, narcissism, and especially sadism (enjoying the pain of others).
  • Sadism is described as cruelty that feels exciting or rewarding, while "everyday sadism" shows that mild versions appear in many people, such as enjoying a violent movie or a fierce sports rivalry.
  • Studies link trolling to antisocial behavior, and the traits are said to carry over into trolls' everyday lives rather than existing only online.
  • Anonymity online lets antisocial people find similar others while distancing themselves from personal responsibility for their actions.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: When being trolled, do not feed the troll with replies or negative feedback, since the video says negative feedback stimulates harsher responses and worsens behavior over time. Instead, ignore them, because the video says trolls feed off your unhappiness and ignoring them is likely to diminish their effort.
  • In a study cited in the video, people who chose to kill bugs (from a set of options including killing bugs, helping kill bugs, cleaning toilets, or enduring ice water pain) scored higher on a scale measuring sadistic impulses.
  • Trolls not only comment more than average users but also receive more replies, which the video suggests shows they are effective at luring others into engagement.
  • The video notes that the anonymity of the internet makes it easier for antisocial individuals to connect with similar people while avoiding responsibility.
  • The video's claims come from studies and scientific framing; the presenter does not offer this as professional psychological advice.

Bottom Line

Trolls are drawn to reactions, so withholding engagement is the video's main strategy for limiting their impact.

Facts

  1. According to a study cited by AsapSCIENCE, about 5.6% of internet users self-identify as trolls or say they enjoy trolling online.

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