Unveiling the Dynamic Interplay: Online Trolling and Disney Adults in Reddit Communities

Fandoms are everywhere, thanks to the spread of the internet. The internet has empowered fans within their communities but has also facilitated the spread of negativity and trolling. Trolling behavior often involves verbal attacks on online community platforms. In the context of fandoms, this trolling manifests as spreading stigmas about obsessive fan behavior or judging the fans themselves as socially awkward, for example. Rather than ignoring the trolls (Don’t feed the trolls), responses to trolling behavior are common. This raises the research problem of understanding how these interactions can unfold and affect the targeted community. This thesis focused on the interaction between trolls and Disney adults, a fan group that has increasingly faced online negativity in recent years. The main research question that helped investigate this interaction is: What is the nature of the interactional dynamic between trolls and Disney adults in online community Reddit? This research was intended to help fill the gap in the literature on trolling behaviour targeting specific fandoms, particularly Disney adults, by examining how stigmatizing perceptions are propagated by trolls on Reddit and how these interactions affect and are managed by the community, thereby providing insights for better moderation policies, and fostering a more inclusive online environment. The method employed in this study was thematic content analysis, a qualitative research approach. Nine Reddit threads were scrutinized, focusing on the top ten and controversial comments to the original posts, totalling 249 comments analysed. This examination revealed four primary themes: 'trolling behaviour,' 'stigmas associated with Disney adults,' 'troll response strategies,' and 'group dynamics.' Firstly, the study identified the trolling strategies used by trolls to propagate stigmas about Disney adults on Reddit. These strategies predominantly involved indirect and subtle methods to disrupt online discussions without overtly revealing their troll identity. Secondly, the research documented the specific stigmas propagated about Disney adults, including perceptions of obsessiveness, immaturity, and social awkwardness. These stigmas primarily targeted the fans' behaviors but also extended to personal attacks. The third major finding explored how Disney adults respond to these stigmas and negativity. Contrary to the 'don't feed the trolls' approach, Disney adults often engage directly with trolls, challenging them and critiquing their behaviour. Lastly, the study uncovered insights into group dynamics, revealing that trolling behaviour tends to strengthen the in-group cohesion among Disney adults. They unify in defence against troll comments and provide explanations for their passion for Disney. In contrast, trolls, considered the out-group, reinforce their positions by creating and reinforcing echo chambers of negativity. The interactional dynamic between trolls and Disney adults revolves around a recurring pattern of stigmatization, defensive response, and community cohesion. Trolls propagate negative perceptions, prompting assertive reactions from Disney adults. This ongoing exchange not only demonstrates the resilience of the Disney adult community but also illustrates how these interactions influence online discourse and community cohesion strategies.