Why do I get trolled so frequently?

[Jackie Daytona]

I get trolled a lot online. Especially on forums. I honestly don't know why. It's something I've been trying to understand for many years now.

Somewhat ironically, the people that troll me often claim I'm actually trolling them. (Usually as a defense of their own actions.)

If I respond to the trolling, not only do they troll more... but it somehow attracts even more people to troll me.

What upsets me more than anything is that trolling has become the norm. It's the standard. It seems like I'm the only person on earth saying, "This is wrong and it needs to stop." Everyone else has simply accepted it, or is afraid to talk to anyone online.

I would stop using forums entirely, but I use internet forums as a social outlet. I have crippling social anxiety, and I'm not good at speaking to people. In real life I have no friends. (I know sometimes people say that and they are exaggerating. I'm not. I'm serious.) Even my parents and siblings don't want to talk to me.

I've been able to identify some things that set people off, but I don't understand why it upsets them so much.

A good example is if I complain about a game or some aspect thereof. People will typically insult and troll me in response. They usually make no attempt to change my mind. Most of the rare few that give me their perspective, layer their comments with insults.

Another example is when I respond to people that give me advice. If I respond with anything but, "Thank You". They freak out. I often find myself replying with, "Yes, I've done that, and it's not working." To which the internet at large responds with trolling, insults, or claims I'm trolling.

I keep reaching dead-ends when it comes to my skill level in competitive games. There's always something I can't quite wrap my head around. Even with all kinds of guides and resources... I'm still unable to understand how to overcome my problems.

I'm getting to the point I don't want to talk to anyone. I'm tried of being insulted, and when I get mad, being told I'm "too sensitive". As if I did something wrong.

I've stopped trying to compete in games online. I still have a small amount of hope left. So I keep training to get to that compete level... but I just... can't.

So I've been spending more and more time drinking alone in silence. I watch Netfilx. I play casual games. And I avoid conversation. Because it honestly seems like the entire world just wants me to go away... and I'm starting to accept that's my fate. To be the subject of hate. Now and forever.

[novasunshine]

It's just a thing that happens.

[shoopy]

They're being who they are.

[Astro_80 (WASH YOUR HANDS!)]

Stupid kids don't have anything better to do with their time. Just ignore them and move on.

[Azza ☠]

Trolls (just like bullies) enjoy an emotional trigger, it's what fuels them. Avoid giving that emotional response before it even starts. Empathy is also lost by them, specially across the internet where they can only see the text.

You don't need to avoid conversations. You just come off as overthinking things current, tone it back a bit. Chill out and enjoy the forums.

As for social anxiety, again stop caring what others think. In reality, your own worst judge is yourself. The key to socializing isn't actually being great at speaking, but rather just be a good listen. Listen and ask open ended questions (these are questions which require more than just yes/no or a single word response, getting the person to open up and talk more). Then they will start to lead the chat and instantly assume you are interested in the same topics.

[We are in the Beam]

Don't respond to trolls. Thats what they want.

[Dick Fusion]

One of the many hills on the path of life

[CIKLOP]

Because you make it easy, just like right now.

[Jackie Daytona]

Yeah, I probably just need to get it over with and kill myself.

There's nothing left for me in life.

[CIKLOP]

Originally posted by BeWhoYouAre:

Yeah, I probably just need to get it over with and kill myself.

There's nothing left for me in life.

Be sure to beat the high-score.

[Hayatemaru]

Wow, seriously? You're posting all of this just because that one thread?

You said you were bad at the game, asked for advice, and then actively started flaming everyone there (Including me) to the point where you started harassing me and going to posts in other game discussions (Of games you didn't even own) to start defaming my character.

You even tried reporting me on the Steam Help Forums where the moderators agreed that you were the one that was out of line.

Nobody there, including myself, trolled you. You're literally blowing this all out of proportion. It almost makes me feel like you either:
1) Desperately want attention
2) Are a troll yourself

When someone in that thread literally asked you to calm down and stop insulting people, you decided instead to start posting in other discussion boards about how much you were getting "harassed" and "trolled".

Why not just take his advice and calm down instead of all of this? If you're really feeling all these emotions, the best thing to do is to calm down. And, well, if you aren't actually feeling this and only saying you are, then you don't deserve anyone's respect.

Have a nice day and take it easy.

[hedy]

not only you, people troll everyone.

[Hayatemaru]

For those of you curious, here's the topic where he got "trolled": http://steamcommunity.com/app/357190/discussions/0/1290690926870805989/

I use the word "trolled" very lightly here, and reading it will show you why. I somewhat don't believe he's trolling anymore and just that comments rubbed him the wrong way.

Regardless, just relax. Nobody's trolling you, we were just giving you advice on the game.

As for why they called you a troll? Well, you were a private profile who seemed to be flaming people giving advice. I'm not saying you were being a troll for 100% certainty, but it can certainly come off that way with those two factors combined.

[Daxank]

Because way too many people nowadays can't tell the difference between trolling and different opinions

[Trickster of Katana's]

Can you give proof? If people continuisly have something against you then it's probably something wrong with you.

[Hayatemaru]

Originally posted by Trickster Of Expensive Tactics:

Can you give proof? If people continuisly have something against you then it's probably something wrong with you.

Read my posts at the tail end of the previous page about it.