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Line 5: {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} [[File:Wikipedia vandalism.PNG|thumb|upright=1.2|A revision of a Wikipedia article shows a troll [[Vandalism on Wikipedia|vandalizing]] an article on Wikipedia by replacing content with an insult.|alt=]] In [[slang]], a '''troll''' is a person who posts deliberately offensive or provocative messages online<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=TROLL English Definition and Meaning {{!}} Lexico.com |url=https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/troll |access-date=2024-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824211107/https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/troll |archive-date=24 August 2022 }}</ref> (such as in [[social media]], a [[newsgroup]], a [[internet forum|forum]], a [[chat room]], an [[Multiplayer video game|online video game]]) or who performs similar behaviors in real life. The methods and motivations of trolls can range from benign to sadistic. These messages can be inflammatory, [[insincerity|insincere]], [[digression|digressive]],<ref name=":5">{{cite web | title=Definition of troll | work=Collins English Dictionary | url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/troll | access-date=17 September 2012 }}</ref> [[wikt:extraneous#Adjective|extraneous]], or [[off-topic]], and may have the intent of provoking others into displaying [[emotion]]al responses,<ref name="PCMAG_def">{{Cite news |title=Definition of: trolling |work=PCMAG.COM |publisher=Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=trolling&i=53181,00.asp# |access-date=24 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501152034/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=trolling&i=53181,00.asp |archive-date=2010-05-01}}</ref> or [[Psychological manipulation|manipulating]] others' perception, thus acting as a [[bullying|bully]] or a [[agent provocateur|provocateur]]. The behavior is typically for the troll's amusement, or to achieve a specific result such as disrupting a rival's online activities or purposefully causing confusion or harm to other people.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Buckels|first1=E.E.|last2=Trapnell|first2=P.D.|last3=Paulhus|first3=D.L.|date=2014|title=Trolls Just Want to Have Fun: (520722015-006)|url=http://doi.apa.org/get-pe-doi.cfm?doi=10.1037/e520722015-006 |website=APA PsycNet |language=en|doi=10.1037/e520722015-006}}</ref> Trolling behaviors involve tactical aggression to incite emotional responses, which can adversely affect the target's well-being.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Volkmer |first=Sara |date=March 2023 |title=Troll story: The dark tetrad and online trolling revisited with a glance at humor |journal=[[PLOS One]] |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=e0280271 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0280271 |doi-access=free|pmid=36897846 |pmc=10004561 |bibcode=2023PLoSO..1880271V |issn=1932-6203 }}</ref> In this context, the noun and the verb forms of "troll" are frequently associated with Internet discourse. Recently, media attention has equated trolling with [[online harassment]]. ''[[The Courier-Mail]]'' and ''[[The Today Show]]'' have used "troll" to mean "a person who defaces [[Online memorial|Internet tribute sites]] with the aim of causing grief to families".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/police-charge-alleged-creator-of-facebook-hate-page-aimed-at-murder-victim/story-e6freoof-1225895789100 | title=Police charge alleged creator of Facebook hate page aimed at murder victim | date=22 July 2010 | publisher=The Courier Mail | location=Australia |first1=Jorja |last1=Orreal | access-date=27 July 2010 | archive-date=11 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811123013/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/police-charge-alleged-creator-of-facebook-hate-page-aimed-at-murder-victim/story-e6freoof-1225895789100 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Trolling:TheTodayShowExplorestheDarkSideoftheInternet /> In addition, depictions of trolling have been included in popular fictional works, such as the [[HBO]] television program ''[[The Newsroom (U.S. TV series)|The Newsroom]]'', in which a main character encounters harassing persons online and tries to infiltrate their circles by posting negative sexual comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/08/the-newsroom-episode-9-review-and-recap-the-blackout-part-2-whither-the-mock-debate-240293/|title='The Newsroom' Episode 9 Review and Recap: 'The Blackout Part 2' — Whither the Mock Debate?|date=20 Aug 2012|author=Beth Hanna |website=IndieWire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809233715/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/08/the-newsroom-episode-9-review-and-recap-the-blackout-part-2-whither-the-mock-debate-240293/ |archive-date= Aug 9, 2022 }}</ref> | |||