Reactive Trolling

A form of trolling that relies on provoking a reaction and then amplifying that reaction to cause further distress. The reactive troll doesn’t just make offensive posts; they target individuals, poke them until they respond, then use the response as a springboard for escalation—sharing it, mocking it, reporting it, or using it to justify further harassment. Reactive trolling turns the target’s own frustration into fuel for the troll, creating a feedback loop where the harder the target tries to disengage, the more the troll escalates.

Example: “He’d post mild but pointed comments until she engaged, then he’d screenshot her replies, edit them, and post them elsewhere claiming she’d lost her mind. Reactive trolling: using the target’s reaction as the main source of entertainment.”

Reactive Trolling by Abzugal March 25, 2026