Inside the Mind of a Troll: Psychology Behind Negative Comments
While it’s easy to feel demoralized by online negativity, it’s crucial to understand the roots of such behavior.
In the age of social media, the line between private thoughts and public outrage has virtually disappeared. No matter what you post—whether it’s a simple photo of biryani, a motivational quote, or a well-researched opinion on politics—there’s always a dark corner of the internet ready to unleash its fury. Abuse, personal attacks, slurs against parents, women, and even religious identity have become disturbingly common. But why?
While it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the silent majority that supports, likes, and quietly agrees, the human mind is naturally drawn to negativity. Ten supportive comments get overshadowed by one hateful reply. That single insult lingers in the mind long after praise is forgotten.
Based on years of observation and digital engagement, I’ve found five key types of individuals who fuel this online negativity:
1. The Mischievous Type – Born Troublemakers
These are the perennial troublemakers—the ones who, since childhood, found joy in irritating others. They’ve grown up provoking siblings, neighbours, teachers, and now, with the rise of social media, they’ve found a much larger playground.
They are the digital equivalent of Jinn—restless, unpredictable, and fueled by the discomfort of others. For them, leaving a sarcastic or negative comment is not just a habit—it’s a source of satisfaction. If they don’t mock or provoke someone online, their day feels incomplete. Even a harmless food photo can become their target.
Negativity is their diet, and trolling is their exercise. They exist not to contribute, but to disrupt—and without it, they simply cannot function.
2. The Low Comprehension Crowd
These are individuals who, regardless of how clearly something is stated, will twist it into something entirely different. You write “Moosa,” they read “Eesa.” You mention Coca-Cola, and they accuse you of promoting alcohol. You appreciate India’s development, and they brand you a bootlicker of Modi. Their thinking is clouded by bias, insecurity, and an almost compulsive urge to misrepresent.
This group suffers from what can only be described as a mental habit of distortion. They don’t engage with the actual words—they engage with what they want to believe was said. They are, in many ways, a constant source of tension not just online, but within their own homes. Family members, especially women, often struggle to communicate with them or find peace around them due to their combative and suspicious nature.
Ironically, this mindset is not limited to the uneducated. Many of these individuals hold degrees and possess formal literacy, yet lack the emotional intelligence and clarity of thought needed to engage constructively. Their education becomes a tool for more sophisticated forms of twisting and arguing, not for understanding.
Among all online personalities, these are perhaps the most dangerous—not because they are aggressive, but because they distort reality and spread confusion with a tone of misplaced confidence.
3. The Hasty and Half-Informed
These are the individuals who lack the patience to fully engage with content before reacting. They won’t watch a video till the end, nor will they read an article in its entirety. Driven by impulse and the rush of instant opinion, they leap straight to the comment section with criticism—often without understanding the context.
When confronted, a simple question usually exposes them: “Did you read the full article?” or “Did you watch the entire video?” More often than not, the answer is silence or deflection.
Their engagement is superficial—limited to a headline, a thumbnail, or a few seconds of a clip. From that limited input, they form sweeping judgments, start arguments, and even preach. Nuance is lost on them. In their world, quick opinions matter more than thoughtful reflection.
This culture of half-reading and knee-jerk reactions is one of the major drivers of online negativity. It fosters misunderstanding, fuels outrage, and buries meaningful discourse under a flood of misplaced criticism.
4. The ‘Holier-Than-Thou’ Crowd
One of the most troubling sources of online hostility stems from individuals who believe only their religious interpretation leads to salvation. Everyone else, in their view, is misguided or doomed. This mindset doesn’t arise overnight—it is the result of years of indoctrination, taught as piety but rooted in arrogance and fear.
Across all faiths, this pattern is visible. Many are raised to view those outside their religion—or even within it, from other sects—with contempt. Sectarianism thrives when marriages are invalidated, prayers dismissed, and communities divided, all in the name of doctrinal purity.
This obsession with the “only true path” isn’t unique. Christian denominations clash, Muslim sects argue over legitimacy, and divisions exist among Hindus, Jews, and others. Such rigidity drains religion of compassion and turns it into a badge of moral superiority.
Ironically, the more outwardly religious some become, the less tolerant they are of differing views. True religiosity should nurture empathy and humility—not arrogance. But when faith becomes a weapon of superiority, dissent is not debated—it’s demonized.
Online, this manifests as trolling. Differing opinions are seen not as opportunities for dialogue, but as threats. So, instead of reflection, there’s rebuke. Instead of empathy, there’s accusation.
This self-righteousness, masked as devotion, poisons discourse and drives hate. Unless religious communities begin promoting humility over hostility, the toxic cycle will worsen—alienating believers, silencing seekers, and turning faith into a battleground instead of a refuge.
5. The Unfulfilled and Frustrated
These are individuals who once aspired to achieve something meaningful beyond their routine jobs—but life didn’t go as planned. In childhood, their talents were overlooked. As they grew older, they found little encouragement from family or peers. Their dreams were dismissed, their ideas mocked, and their confidence eroded.
Today, even in their own homes, they feel powerless—some can’t switch to their preferred TV channel without fearing backlash from a domineering spouse. This accumulated frustration, suppressed over the years, finds an outlet in the digital world.
When they see someone doing something different, creative, or impactful—something they once dreamed of—they feel triggered. At first, they cloak their bitterness in the language of advice or religious “Islah”, offering unsolicited critiques under the guise of concern. But when their advice is ignored or rejected, the mask slips. What follows is a barrage of insults, curses, and hostility.
Their negativity is less about you—and more about their unresolved disappointment with themselves. Social media becomes their venting ground, not for ideas, but for grievances.
Should We Take Them Seriously?
While it’s easy to feel demoralized by online negativity, it’s crucial to understand the roots of such behavior. The silent majority is still there—supportive, kind, and observant. But as content creators or opinion sharers, we must develop thicker skin and sharper filters. Every negative comment is not a reflection of you—it often reveals more about the person writing it.
Let us focus on building meaningful content, engaging with thoughtful readers, and remembering that even in the noisy world of social media, silence often speaks volumes.
