#tcl25

1.) How do the different types of online "trolls" reflect human behavior/interactions in online communities?

There are different types of online "trolls" across digital spaces and social media. According to Phillips in "The Origins of Trolling" while researching online they encountered different types such as "Anti-trolls, also known simply as "antis," which publicly denounced other trolls, then proceeded to troll as many trolls as possible." Additionally there is also factions which Phillips mentions as "rogue trolls (those not associated with a stable group of trolling friends) tended, at least in my experience, to be unpredictable and extremely mis-anthropic. Pack trolls were much more social, and were often quite eager to help with my research, either by answering questions or putting me in touch with other trolls." demonstrating the different types of online interactions between trolls. This may also reflect different human behaviors as many people come into contact with trolls online. Some may choose to retaliate such as the anti trolls while others may continue the trolling itself. This mirrors real life human interaction as trolls are regular people with online access who choose to act this way.

2.) How does Leslie Jones’s case reflect misogyny and structural neglect? Jones was attacked with racism, sexism, and leaked private photos after starring in Ghostbusters. Her case reveals how Black women face more violent, graphic abuse, especially when visible or successful compared to their counterparts. Despite her fame, platforms didn’t act until public outcry forced them to. It’s a clear example of how misogynistic values and behaviors are enabled by technology and reinforced by structure. If someone with such a big platform and fanbase can be the victim of online abuse just think of those who suffer from it and don’t have the fans or platform to back them up.

3.) What does the Pew Research report tell us about who experiences the most harmful types of online harassment?

The Pew research report provides us with great insights into online harassment . As it states that about 40% of internet users report harassment, with young women facing the most dangerous kinds, like sexual threats and stalking. The report proves that online abuse is often targeted towards communities who are already vulnerable offline (like women of color and LGBTQ+ people) . This makes the user who are part of these communities experience worse treatment in digital spaces. Rather than putting rules or guidelines in place these online spaces or digital platforms often fail to protect them.

4.)What does Danielle Citron argue about the seriousness of online abuse? Citron personal beliefs are that online harassment is past annoying and goes beyond, claiming it is a blatant civil rights violation. Often time those who are victims lose jobs, mental stability, and their right to speak online. She explains that coordinated abuse for example like doxxing and impersonation often intentionally drives women and marginalized communities offline. The internet has become unsafe and a cesspool for hatred and online abuse due to its inability to keep up with itself. As more hatred and abuse is spread online there must be better rules and regulations put into place to combat it.

5.) How can online communities better protect users from harm?

In order to truly change the landscape and stop the spread of online abuse there needs to change in digital spaces and communities. To begin we must both the platforms and use accountable for their actions. Real accountability requires platform responsibility, stronger anti-harassment laws, and cultural change. As Citron suggests, laws must recognize the seriousness of cyber abuse, and platforms must take proactive steps to protect vulnerable users. Community members also play a role in calling out hate and supporting those who speak out.

Bergstrom, Kelly. “Don’t Feed the Trolls.” First Monday, vol. 16, no. 8, 2011.

Citron, Danielle Keats. Hate Crimes in Cyberspace. Harvard UP, 2014.

Duggan, Maeve. “Online Harassment.” Pew Research Center, Oct. 22, 2014.

1.How did white supremacist newsletters in the print-only era portray interracial relationships and queer sexuality?

In the print-only era, white supremacist newsletters portrayed interracial relationships, especially between black men and white women, as a major threat to white racial purity, linking them to a conspiracy led by Jewish people. Queer sexuality, especially male homosexuality, was seen as emasculating and dangerous, and often linked to Jewish identity. Lesbians were usually portrayed as Jewish feminists who posed a threat to white womanhood.

2. How has the internet, especially forums like Stormfront, changed the way white supremacist views are expressed?

The internet has made white supremacist talk more participatory. On forums like Stormfront, users can contribute their own ideas and reinterpret ideology rather than just reading what a few leaders wrote. This has led to a wider range of opinions, including more views on issues like homosexuality and interracial relationships, even if the core beliefs remain hateful.

3.  Why have white men played such a large role in bringing white supremacist ideology to the internet?

White men have played a leading role in bringing white supremacy online because they have historically held power in areas like technology, politics, and the economy. They were also among the early developers and adopters of the internet, giving them the tools and access to use digital platforms to spread their ideology.

4.What is ironic about how white supremacy has been expressed online, according to the text?

The irony is that the internet is often seen as a place where race doesn't matter or is invisible, but at the same time, white supremacists like Don Black were creating websites like Stormfront specifically to promote racist ideas. So, while the internet is supposed to be open and equal, it has also been used to spread hate and racism.

5. Why is Ananova considered an important example of how femininity is used in digital media?

1. What was the main goal of the Total Information Awareness (TIA) project, and why was it controversial?

The main goal of the TIA project was to collect and analyze massive amounts of personal data, from credit card use to medical records, in order to identify possible terrorist threats before they happened. It was controversial because many people saw it as a violation of privacy and a tool for mass surveillance that could be abused by the government.

2. What was the Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS), and why did it fail?

TIPS was a proposed program where everyday workers like mail carriers and delivery drivers would report "suspicious activities" they witnessed in people’s homes. It failed because of strong public opposition, as it was seen as encouraging citizens to spy on one another and creating a sense of mistrust.

3.  Why does the author compare the rise of surveillance in modern society to the slow rise of fascism in Nazi Germany?

 The author uses this comparison to show how dangerous changes can happen gradually, without people noticing. In Nazi Germany, people got used to small changes in laws and surveillance until it was too late to resist. Similarly, the author warns that modern societies risk losing freedoms slowly through increased surveillance, often justified as necessary for safety or convenience.

4. According to the excerpt, what role have civil liberties and privacy played in social progress movements like women’s suffrage or civil rights?

Civil liberties and privacy have allowed people to organize and protest, sometimes through illegal means, to fight for their rights. Without privacy, many of these movements could have been easily tracked, stopped, or punished by the state. The ability to act without constant surveillance was necessary for making social progress.

What role did 9/11 play in the acceptance of survillence?

The role of 9/11 had a significant impact on the acceptsnce of surveillance for security purposes. Due to the fear of the 9/11 atttack it left a feeling of being vulnerable to another terrorist attack. With the government making it seem like the threat may happen again allowing the idea of surveillance be accepted making it seem like it would be the only way to prevent another attack. Due to this there would be a loss of privacy and civil liberties yet at the moment there was a lack of public resistance after 9/11 since the event was traumatizing, the American people supported the idea of surveillance for the publics safety.

Was preventing terrorism effective?

Due to the 9/11 attacks, the way people viewed or used the word terrorism changed. There was a rise in government power over the citizens. There was a lack of transparency with the government when there were threats, causing doubts about the success of the situation since no information was available to the public. With people now being surveilled and data mining. With the surveillance targeting marginalized communities. Its original intention was to target terrorists, but it became a privacy invasion and a civil rights violation.

What is the risk of between free speech and the legal risk of posting on you social media platform?

In the article it is explained that it is complex contection between the constitution rights and the legal boundaries when it comes to posting on Twitter. There is a limitation on free speech that often time can be seen or interpreted as a threat under the laws against terrirismthat may be prosecuted under the law. Since social media is usually used and seen as a public space to express yourself. That does run the that certain posts that incite violence or engage in hate speech may lead to legal action. Due to the law being unclear in the conext of protests yet the law is not always applied making it almost seem selective.

How exactly does the government enforce monitor social media posts?

 How did trolling originate?

Many people think trolling started on a forum similar to Reddit titled 4chan, but it's hard to say exactly when it began since everyone has a different idea of what trolling is. Nonetheless, years before the creation of 4chan, where trolling became an identity, when the internet was still fresh, it was full of people causing mischief by messing with those new to the internet, often with shocking images for amusement or “lulz”. The ambiguity the internet provided made it easy for people to create multiple profiles, mess with people, and move on to another account without any punishment. With the evolution of ambiguity and accessibility of the internet, this almost harmless joking quickly turned into something of great concern.  

Does a troll need to know it is a troll in order for it to be a troll?

This question is brought up by Kelly Begstrom by using the case of Reddit vs. Grandpa Wiggley. Granda Wiggly popped up on Reddit identifying as an old man with a love of condiments and cats, and quickly became a beloved user. However, when it was revealed that he was not real but a creation of another user named Wordsauce, users felt betrayed and became very aggressive towards Wordsauce, calling him a troll and releasing his personal information. Begstrom argues that Grandpa Wiggley was not a troll and that the term troll was being used too loosely in his case. While people who followed him felt betrayed, the creator did not create the personality in order to tease or fool people from the evidence Begstrom could gather. In Begstrom's eyes, and mine, a troll does need to know it is a troll in order to be one. Focusing on the intent of the user. 

What are the dangers of cyber harassment? 

 Danielle Citron illustrates numerous cases and dangers of cyber harassment in her book, Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, by sharing how, in extreme cases, victims can suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more when the hate online leaks to their offline life. With the increased use of technology in the job field and dating life, your online profile can be viewed to get an interview or confirm a romantic date. When your online image is tainted by trolls, this can result in the loss of job interests or possible romantic relationships. When you can not get an interview or a date, many people see the possibility of going on living as daunting. The biggest danger of cyber harassment is in the teenage demographic, with many cases of teenagers committing suicide due to the harassment. Ending their lives too young out of fear of never being able to get a job, and a feeling of the world coming after them all because their social media is being flooded by trolls. In addition, these dangers have reached offline as cases of ex-boyfriends and husbands posting their wives on SA forums, inviting people to go to their houses and assault them. 

How can we tackle cyber harassment?

While the internet might not seem new, it is in the eyes of the government. Citron advocates that civil rights laws for stalking and harassment need to be implemented, no matter where the threat was made. Many people do not see online harassment as severe or serious, but as we have seen with these cases, it very much is real; there are still people behind those screens with severe motives, and the ability to track down addresses. Civil laws are meant to protect victims, and the fear of starting a storm by punishing people for online harassment should not prevent them from doing so. Employers should be forced to allow victims to explain their online hate and should not refuse them an interview to explain the lies spread about them online. 

Refrences

Bergstrom, K. (2011). “Don’t feed the troll”: Shutting down debate about community expectations on Reddit.com. 

Citron, D. K. (2014). Hate crimes in cyberspace. Harvard University Press. 

1. What is the main goal of the Data Detox Kit, and how does it relate to digital resistance? 

The Data Detox Kit is designed to help users take back control over their digital lives. It was created by the company Tactical Tech and the kit offers a series of steps to help people reduce their digital footprint, upgrade  their online privacy, and gain an understanding of how digital surveillance works. The Data Detox kit  promotes digital resistance, particularly for marginalized communities which are targeted  by surveillance and data  practices. As the data detox kit mentions, your stored data could “reveal important details about you and your habits, like where you live, where you work, and where you like to hang out with your friends.” so it is important to be aware of how your data is being stored and spread through the technology you use daily. By using the kit it enables users to be able to reclaim their digital autonomy while also engaging in digital practices that value safety, informed consent, and the right to exist online without exploitation. 

2. How does Christian Parenti describe the post-9/11 surveillance landscape in 'Fear as Institution'? 

In “Fear as Institution” Christian Parenti argues that the 9/11 attacks didn't create the surveillance culture we see today but rather it evolved its growth. He explores how existing surveillance technologies and programs were rapidly carried out under the guise of national security and protection. Parenti criticizes laws such as the USA Patriot Act, which normalized the slow erasure of privacy rights by reducing legal barriers for wiretaps, searches, and data collection. Parenti states “In many ways the frightening thing about the postattack crackdown has been how much of everyday life was prefabricated to fit neatly into a new and larger project of intensified state observation and repression.” Summarizing how as a society our lives have become okay with surveillance even when it is having a detrimental effect on our rights. 

3. In what ways does the criminalization of social media threaten protest and dissent?

In “How Your Twitter Account Could Land You in Jail.” Matthew Power writes about  how the use of social media can be weaponized against activists. In reference to the 2009 G20 protests Power writes “ Thousands of protesters had descended on the city ,presenting demands ranging from curbs on carbon emissions to the outright abolition of capitalism.” Many of those activists who were  using Twitter to share updates about police movements were arrested and charged with serious crimes. This criminalization of digital communication further blurs the line between public speech and state surveillance. It also highlights how protestors were treated as criminals simply for spreading information, exposing how technology meant to empower us can also become a force of oppression. As a society now more than ever we have seen that using technology to express defiance or organize collectively can now be misinterpreted as criminal actions, especially for marginalized voices that are already heavily policed. This relates to society today, as we have learned DHS has begun to screen immigrants activity on social media and will use that for grounds of denying immigration requests. 

4. What role does fear play in normalizing surveillance, and how is this especially harmful for marginalized communities? 

Fear is a critical mechanism used to normalize government surveillance under the veil of “protection for its citizens”. After 9/11, the government used the aftermath to further enhance  a climate of fear and  push through laws and technologies that increased its ability to further surveil citizens. This approach disproportionately harms marginalized groups-especially immigrants, Muslims, and political activists who become prime targets of these laws. Programs such as SEVIS created a surveillance infrastructure which tracked a specific group such as foreign students. These systems don't just simply  track behavior, they also  shape it, forcing submission through fear/scare tactics. For communities that already experience injustice, the normalization of fear leads to greater isolation, reducing political participation, and an effect on their freedom of expression. 

5. How can we reconcile the need for safety with the risk of over-surveillance? 

Reconciling safety and surveillance requires us to redefine  what 'safety' truly means. While governments often argue that surveillance ensures public safety, they frequently overlook how such monitoring unevenly impacts marginalized communities. Tools like the Data Detox Kit I previously mentioned,  allows individuals to reclaim their digital lives and question the security of their information/privacy. When it comes to “true” safety I believe it has to be based on consent, transparency, and  accountability across all digital spaces and technology. As we have seen over the years, surveillance compromises democratic values when it becomes normalized in society. Perhaps instead of relying on  control, we need to put systems into place which value users digital rights, provide resistance against data extraction, and build our own knowledge by learning technological literacy. 

Works Cited 

Parenti, Christian. *The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America from Slavery to the War on Terror*. Basic Books, 2003. 

Power, Matthew. 'How Your Twitter Account Could Land You in Jail.' *Mother Jones*, Mar/Apr 2010.

1. How was Twitter used during the 2009 G20 protests, and why did it lead to the arrest of activists?

During the 2009 G20 protests, activists used Twitter to share real-time updates on police movements, helping protesters avoid arrests. Madison and Wallschlaeger, members of a communications collective, were arrested for tweeting such information. Authorities charged them with crimes related to hindering law enforcement. Their arrest highlights how digital tools can be criminalized, particularly when used to organize dissent, raising concerns about the limits of free speech in the digital age.

2. In what ways have digital tools like social media been both helpful and risky for activists during protests?

Social media allows activists to quickly organize, communicate, and broadcast injustices globally, as seen during the Arab Spring or Black Lives Matter. However, these platforms also expose users to surveillance, data collection, and potential legal consequences. Protesters may be tracked, misidentified, or charged based on their online activity. The G20 case and broader state surveillance efforts reveal the dual nature of digital media as both a powerful organizing tool and a vulnerability.

 3. What are the risks of allowing intelligence agencies to share information without legal boundaries?

When intelligence agencies share information without legal constraints, it erodes checks and balances meant to protect civil liberties. As Parenti explains, post-9/11 surveillance expansions, especially under the Patriot Act, enabled agencies to bypass warrants and conduct broad, unchecked investigations. This can lead to abuses like racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and the criminalization of lawful activism. Secrecy and lack of accountability make it difficult for the public to challenge surveillance overreach or prevent misuse.

What were the repercussions of the Patriot Act, specifically on marginalized communities?

Following the event of 9/11, all people of Arab, Middle-Eastern descent were labeled as potential terrorists overnight. Folks were encouraged and incentivized to identify any potential “terrorist” behavior, having lifelong repercussions on those falling in that category, despite the fact that the definition of “terrorism” in and of itself is incredibly vague, and the Patriot Act simply expanded the definition of what a “terrorist” could be. The targeted language further oppression and poor treatment of this demographic, reducing them down to a harmful and incorrect stereotype.

What is the role of digital literacy in social movements?

Digital literacy and upholding one’s privacy plays an integral role in facilitating and participating in social movements. Now that everyone’s information is so easily accessible on the internet, Instagram posts, private messages, and other information can be used to discredit social movements or blackmail folks from partaking in them. In order to make social movements stronger, one must remember that privacy is power and who to engage with when navigating trolls and backlash.

What are the logistics of opting out of surveillance via Apple?

Apple and other technology monoliths are making it increasingly impossible to entirely opt out of Apple surveillance. In order to maintain one’s privacy, you need to go to extensive and repeated measures to ensure that Apple does not have access to private messages, etc. The information on how to make sure your privacy isn’t being breached is intentionally not made available to the masses, contributing to the issue of user’s data being stolen and corrupted for profit.

What is the federal Anti-Riot Act?

The federal Anti-Riot Act was passed to dissuade individuals from participating in social movements and suppressing political dissent. The act was used in the case of the Chicago 8, famously. The act has expanded what is considered to be unlawful or illegal, even small factors such as crossing state lines to attend or spread word regarding protests.

What is the significance of the Anti-Riot Act?

The anti-riot act is another act passed to suppress political dissent and draw attention to governmental corruption, atrocities, and retrograde. By incentivizing folks to act in a certain way and not getting out of line, social progress becomes hindered and even regressed.

Parenti, C. (2007). The soft cage: surveillance in America: from slavery to the war on terror. Basic Books.