In short, the aim of trolling is to spread chaos. When the phenomenon first emerged, it was primarily about the fun of disruption. Peaceful discussions were supposed to turn into heated debates through accusations whereby the content of a debate became a minor matter. In gaming communities, the term “griefer” is common: a user deliberately sabotages the course of the game without violating any official rules.
Today, trolling is about much more – especially when public figures and companies are the focus. Here, the aim is often to damage a reputation or spread alternative truths. Examples of successful trolling include the 2016 US election, in which Trump won, presumably supported by Russian trolls. Another example is discussions on coronavirus measures, spreading the rumor that Bill Gates was controlling vaccinations in order to provide people with computer chips. Disturbingly, what sounds absurd to some can become an alternative truth for others, spread by trolls. Trolling can be incredibly powerful.