Online trolling as a dark leisure activity

This paper applies a leisure perspective to trolling, a controversial form of disruptive online social interaction that is generally interpreted as fun for some, but malicious by others. By reframing trolling as leisure activity, this paper adds depth to the common interpretation of trolling as a dimension of online antisocial behaviour. Drawing on conceptual frameworks of leisure, specifically abnormal/deviant/dark leisure, this paper interprets trolling as a leisure activity pursued for personal and in-group enjoyment despite its often antagonistic and offensive nature for those considered outgroup. The use of disingenuous content to 'bait' targets, as a form of adversarial play, suggests trolling is a specific kind of dark leisure activity distinct from behaviours like flaming, e-bile and cyberbullying. This article contributes to furthering our understanding of internet trolling by shedding light on its leisure aspects and exploring its practice in online social spaces.