LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Troll culture: Cruelty behind laughter
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
For Generation Z, trolling someone online has become a source of amusement-a form of digital entertainment that often masks real cruelty. Whether on the streets, in offices, or in neighbourhoods, any unusual or awkward incident is instantly captured on video and shared online "for fun." People proudly say, "I made it viral," as if it were a badge of honour. But if we pause and ask our conscience, is trolling really funny? Is it even right?
Trolling, in simple terms, involves intentionally posting offensive or provocative comments about someone online, or sharing their photos or videos without consent to make them a target of public ridicule. On the surface, it may seem harmless or humorous, but in reality, it is both morally wrong and legally punishable.
From a moral standpoint, everyone has the right to freedom of expression, but no one has the right to humiliate another person. When we troll someone online, we rarely consider the consequences. Yet the person being mocked may suffer deep psychological trauma, face social humiliation, or encounter backlash from family and community.
Legally, sharing another person's image or video without their permission violates privacy and can constitute defamation or cyber harassment under existing laws. Sadly, many in today's digital generation seem oblivious of it. They record and upload others' private moments without consent, celebrating viral attention while ignoring both the legal and ethical implications.
Entertainment has its rightful place in movies, games, and art-not in mocking real people's pain. What seems like a joke to one person can cause lifelong distress to another. A single "funny" clip can destroy someone's reputation, confidence, or even their will to live.
In an age where virality is often valued over virtue, empathy is not outdated. The internet was built to connect us, not humiliate each other. It's time to laugh with people, not at them.
Laboni Akter Kobita
Department of Public Administration
Jagannath University
laboniakterkobita6@gmail.com