Types known as “trolls” and “haters” enjoy creating problems in online communities. They take great glee in posting deliberately incendiary materials (“flame baiting”) and in harassing and hounding others. They are also adept at creating false identities (“sock puppets”) who chime in to make it seem that many are supportive of their views. Trolls can gain genuine supporters as well—often by representing themselves as misunderstood victims while praising more empathetic, kindly online users in private chats. “Haters,” on the other hand, are just that—they can rant on spitefully while remaining
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