Indian Female Twitter Influencers’ Perceptions of Trolls

This research investigates the experiences of Indian women Twitter influencers with online trolling, specifically gendered trolling. The study is set against the backdrop of India's rapid digital growth, marked by increasing internet and mobile phone usage, yet simultaneously characterized by persistent gender inequality. While digital platforms offer opportunities for women's voices and activism, they also present a space for significant online abuse and harassment. Previous research has highlighted the prevalence of online gender-based violence and the lack of understanding of women's perspectives on this issue. The study aims to address this gap by exploring three research questions: How do online trolls affect Indian women influencers on Twitter? What are their perceptions of gender trolling? What coping mechanisms do they employ, and what impact does this have on their content and well-being?

The introduction extensively reviews existing literature on online trolling, gender trolling, and the Indian context. It cites studies showing the pervasiveness of gender-based violence online, particularly targeting women in politics and journalism. The literature establishes trolling as a form of online harassment characterized by aggression, deception, and disruption, often motivated by a desire to provoke conflict or incite fear. Existing research is highlighted as lacking sufficient focus on the perceptions and experiences of Indian women, prompting this study's focus on their lived experiences.

The study employs a two-phased approach. The first phase involves a pilot online survey targeting active Twitter users (161 respondents). This survey gathered preliminary data on perceptions of trolling, gendered aspects of trolling, and the frequency of experiencing online abuse. The second phase comprised in-depth interviews with 25 women Twitter influencers selected based on follower count, frequency of posting, and participation in the pilot survey. The influencers represented diverse backgrounds, including journalism, writing, social media management, activism, and academia. The interviews explored the influencers' perceptions of trolling, their experiences with gendered trolling, the types of threats they encountered (ranging from name-calling to death and rape threats), and their coping mechanisms (blocking, muting, ignoring, reporting, and occasionally engaging with trolls). The interviews lasted between 45 minutes and an hour, with some conducted via email. Participants requested anonymity.

The findings reveal that online misogyny is prevalent in gendered trolling on Twitter. Many influencers viewed the trolling they experienced as a reflection of real-world gender discrimination. The trolling was often targeted at women due to their gender and especially when engaging in discussions about politics, religion, or feminism. Threats ranged from name-calling and body shaming to death and rape threats, often using derogatory language and abusive memes. Some influencers reported having their photos morphed onto pornographic images. Coping mechanisms included blocking, muting, ignoring, and reporting trolls. While some initially engaged with trolls, many found this approach draining and unproductive. The study also highlighted the limitations of Twitter's measures against trolling and the need for stricter platform responses, particularly regarding threats of sexual violence. There was a call for addressing trolling across multiple Indian regional languages, faster actions against repeat offenders, and increased political will to curb online misogyny.

The study’s findings underscore the significant impact of gendered trolling on Indian women influencers, confirming that online misogyny is a pervasive issue. The coping mechanisms employed by influencers reflect the challenges they face in navigating an often hostile online environment. The findings highlight the need for robust platform interventions, as well as a broader societal shift to challenge patriarchal attitudes and behaviors both online and offline. The study's contribution is in providing detailed insights into the perceptions and experiences of Indian women, a group underrepresented in existing research on online harassment.

This research offers valuable insights into the experiences of Indian women Twitter influencers with gendered trolling, highlighting the prevalence of online misogyny and the need for stronger platform actions and broader societal change. Future research should explore cross-platform analysis, examine the role of intersectionality in online harassment, and investigate the effectiveness of different intervention strategies.

The study's explorative approach and relatively small sample size limit the generalizability of findings. Focusing solely on Twitter might not fully capture the experience across all social media platforms. Future research could address these limitations by employing a larger sample, using mixed methods, and expanding to other platforms.