A new study has highlighted the increasing role of social media news consumption in driving malicious online behaviour, particularly trolling, in Spain. A team of academics conducted research on how social media platforms and individual emotions like envy encourage hostile interactions between users. The findings were published in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics.
The study shows a direct link between the use of social media news and the rise of trolling, a practice that involves purposefully interfering with online conversations by making provocative or inflammatory remarks. Trolling has long been a fixture of the internet, but this study sheds new light on how news dissemination through social media may be contributing to a toxic online environment.
In Spain, where social media usage is high, citizens are increasingly turning to platforms such as Twitter and Facebook for news and political updates. The study suggests that this engagement with news on social media opens up avenues for more negative interactions. Users may not only consume information passively but also react aggressively, particularly in the form of trolling. However, the research does clarify that while trolling behaviour is on the rise, the use of social media news does not necessarily lead to more direct verbal abuse or insults.
The study further explores the concept of a “culture of impunity” on social media, where users feel that their actions online, including those that would be unacceptable in face-to-face interactions, will go unpunished. This sense of freedom from accountability seems to fuel both trolling and verbal aggression. According to the findings, those who engage in trolling frequently do so without worrying about the consequences because they are confident that there won’t be any legal or social repercussions for their actions.
In addition to news consumption, the research identifies social media envy as a significant factor contributing to hostile behaviours. Envy in this context refers to the resentment that users feel when comparing themselves to others who appear more successful or popular online. This emotion has been shown to trigger trolling, as envious individuals attempt to “level down” others, causing distress or frustration to those they perceive as more fortunate.
The combination of social media envy and a culture of impunity appears to be a potent mix. Users who harbour both envy and a lack of concern for potential consequences are the most likely to engage in trolling and insulting behaviour. While trolling is generally seen as a disruptive but legal form of interaction, certain types of insults can cross the line into illegality, especially when they involve severe defamation or public humiliation.
The study’s findings are part of a broader investigation into how emotions and expectations of accountability shape online behaviours in Spain. It suggests that while social media has the potential to connect individuals and foster positive communication, it also provides fertile ground for more destructive interactions. Trolling, once considered a fringe behaviour, is becoming more mainstream, partly due to the widespread use of social media as a news source.
This research adds to the growing body of evidence that online platforms must take a more active role in moderating user behaviour. As trolling and verbal abuse continue to rise, the question of how to create more civil online spaces becomes increasingly pressing.
