# Trolling defined

**URL:** <https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/trolling-defined/7120>\
**Category:** Issues & Complaints\
**Created:** [February 25, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/trolling-defined/7120 "2020-02-25T12:33:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/trolling-defined/7120/1 "2020-02-25T12:33:51Z")

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> **[What Is an Internet Troll? (and How to Handle Trolls)](https://www.howtogeek.com/465416/what-is-an-internet-troll-and-how-to-handle-trolls/)**
>
> Internet trolls are people who want to provoke and upset others online for their own amusement. Here’s how to spot the signs that someone is a troll, and how to handle them.

The short definition of troll is someone who is disruptive and inflammatory. Those are easily dispatched. Don’t forget the original use to the term, which is still applicable, deliberately engaging in pointless dialog intended to distract. That one is harder to prove since it requires knowing intent. The above article helps to sort some of that out.