Explore the impact of online trolling on individuals and the Web, with a focus on women in tech. Learn about a unique way to fight back with Troll Cakes Bakery. Understand the physical and emotional toll of online harassment and the concept of a 'troll tax'. Challenge the stereotype of trolls and strive for a more inclusive online environment.
Online harassment and trolling can have serious ramifications, especially towards women in tech and media.
Trolling has become normalized within online discourse, minimizing the real-world impact of online harassment.
Deep dives
Troll Cakes: Turning Internet Insults into Edible Revenge
Troll Cakes Bakery and Detective Agency bakes cakes with mean internet comments and delivers them to the people who made the comments. Mia orders a cake with the comment 'Looks like a baby. Awful' after a stranger wrote it on one of her Instagram posts. Mia finds it both funny and unsettling, recognizing the anger fueled by personal appearance judgment. Kat, the owner of Troll Cakes, sees it as an opportunity to send a message that online actions have real-world consequences. Trolling, ranging from mild annoyances to life-threatening harassment, continues to be a prevalent issue. The podcast explores various approaches to dealing with trolls, such as reporting and support platforms like HeartMob, advocating for tougher laws, and even trolling them back with humor.
Online Harassment's Impact on Women
Online harassment and trolling, especially towards women, can have serious ramifications. The podcast highlights the experiences of women in tech and media, who often face intense vitriol and cruelty. The toxicity and specific targeting can wear them down emotionally and even impact their physical well-being. The episode emphasizes the need to understand and address online harassment without victim-blaming, as it affects women's participation in public discourse and the internet at large. It also touches on the challenge of distinguishing between trolling and free speech, and the need for legal measures to combat hate speech.
Unveiling the Complexity of Trolling
Trolls are often portrayed as deviant outsiders, but their behaviors can be similar to non-trolling online conduct. The episode discusses how trolling has become normalized within online discourse and how this contributes to minimizing the real-world impact of online harassment. The podcast explores the motivations of trolls, some of whom genuinely believe they are teaching lessons or doing a favor by engaging in abusive behavior. Additionally, the episode warns that anyone has the potential to become a troll and emphasizes the importance of fostering a more inclusive and respectful online environment.
Trolls. You'll find them in every corner of the Internet. During this episode, explore the landscape of trolling online, its impact on individuals, and its impact on the Web. Some people are fighting back in new and tasty ways. Baked goods included.
IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org.
