grievances and complaints in a form of free
The danger of Internet trolls and
Keyboard warriors in Cyber
politics
Alejandro T. Corona, Jr.1, Jhon Allain A.
Hisola2, Joyce Q. Sugarol3, Lesley
Teleron4
1alejandrauxx@gmail.com,
2allainhisola@gmail.com,
3
beauholmes62898@gmail.com,
4
liteleron@gmail.com
Rationale
Cyber space makes the spread of ideas
faster and more suitable, making it easier for
communication to connect in a convenient way.
The complexity of digital age through cyber
space enables such propaganda material to reach
social media users. Social media, as an outlet for
a multitude social discussion, motivates user to
create content and comment on communications
by interaction, user-generated content, and
multi-directional mode of conversation. Hence,
social media, in the context of politics, is a
platform to discuss political insights, interests
and sentiments which is an effective way for
agenda-setting and spreading of unevenly
saturated information and biased propaganda for
political matters.
Social media, on the other hand, has been an
essential communication tool in today’s
generation. Where freedom to universal access
of information has been guaranteed in the cyber
space, social media sites are now accessible
without qualified preferences– whether rich or
poor, geeks or uneducated, right-wing or leftist.
Due to the free access of information in social
media granted the opportunity to express their
speeches, posting it online with unverifiable
information that are unstructured, opinionated
and unfiltered content. In worse case scenarios,
exponential population of social media users has
been sharing and influenced with hoaxed
information and fake news which circulates
around the cyber space, creating a massive chaos
within user’s proximity and in conflict with
another person’s interest. Nevertheless, this
problem has been a contemporary issue with
media ecosystem which is known to be cyber
politics.
“Cyber politics” refers to the conjunction of two
processes or realities: politics and cyber space
(Choucri, 2012). Choucri (2012), on his depth
analysis on the relation between politics and
cyberspace, the characteristic of cyber politics
extends to human interactions surrounding the
determination of politics which refers to “who
gets what, when and how” [1]. Thus, cyber space
which refers to cyber space which refers to those
enabled by the uses of a virtual space as a new
arena of contention with its own modalities and
realities.
On the other hand, these combinations allowed
Laswell’s definition of politics as the
authoritative allocation of values in society
noted that the “study of politics is the study of
influence and the influential (Choucri, 2012).
The influential people “are those who get the
most of what there is to get” and expanded its
manifestations through enhanced potential for
political participation, and created new
possibilities for expressing views, voicing
political positions, and joining political activity.
Today, in the Philippines, the cyber
space in social media sites are dominated mostly
of political engagements. While it is true that
political participation in cyber space doesn’t
limit anyone who is involved and what matter is
being involved with, contentions are much being
focused on what is influential and what matter is
being influenced with – the danger of internet
trolls and keyboard warriors.
Galvez (2012), in her article analyzing
the behavior of social media users, identified
that “internet trolls” are personalities in the
Internet who set conflict by starting arguments
or upsetting through inflammatory and
extraneous posts, or even in a off-topic
commentaries in an online community with the
deliberate intent of provoking readers into an
emotional response or otherwise disrupts normal
on-topic discussion [2].
On the same manner, Geddes (2016)
conducted a research examining the intersecting
forces of new technology, social conditions and
the form of political extremism that emerges
under these conditions [3]. He examined that
those political-affiliated supporters whose
activities are confined to the virtual component
who doesn’t partake any direct confrontation
using the networking sites via their mobile
phones or personal computers to interact and
express themselves tend to be regarded as
“keyboard warriors”.
In a related study of Bradshaw and Howard
(2017) characterized that both internet trolls and
keyboard warriors involve overarching
governmental communications through
applications, websites and platforms for
spreading propaganda using real, fake and
automated media accounts in a form of blog
posts [4].
As supporting facts, Bueno (2017) has classified
the predominant fake news and biased
information circulating online that victimized of
social media users in a form of “clickbait”, a
news headline often regarded to be sensational
[5]. This kind of sensationalizing headline entice
readers to click, since URLs being used are
mimic with legitimate news websites Some
examples include breaking-bbc.co.uk (the proper
url for BBC is bbc.com), has been currently
circulating and shared among social media users.
Statement of the Problem
This paper aims to expand the
characterization on the danger of internet trolls
and keyboard warriors since it has never been
dealt with in depth discourses. In addition, this
paper aims to broaden the discussion of the
current status quo of cyber politics in the
Philippines which primarily focuses on the
danger of internet trolls and keyboard warriors
through set of questions needed to be analyzed:
1. What are the roles of internet trolls
and keyboard warriors in cyber politics?
2. How politically motivated are
internet trolls and keyboard warriors in
influence cyber politics?
3. What are the contributions of internet
trolls and keyboard warriors through
cyber politics in the mainstream
politics?
Review of Related Literature
Cyber space encompasses a great leap of
every individual’s experiences from
conventional political discussion to more
interconnected social world that redirect the
dissemination of information. Hence, the
internet breakthrough brought innovation and
modernization on the means of human
interconnection and profoundly impact
cyberspace [6].
The Power in Cyberspace
Jordan, in his study about technopolitics
regarding with cyber space, identified that the
power in cyberspace is governed by the ever
increasing reliance by users on technological
tools, which appear as neutrally pointing the way
to greater control over information but transition
of time result in different forms of information
constituted by the values inherent in the new
tools [7]. As a result, cyber space is contained of
infinite data of information which needs wildly
an obstruct which will never be satisfied
Cyber space has undergone technological
transition which is transformed in reality, but it
has not had nearly the effects on society that
either its proponents or its detractors predicted
[8]. Soriano posited that cyberspace as an
extraordinary driving force for the dissemination
of freedom [9]. Historically, in mid-nineties,
when this technology arose on its primitive stage
in a limited community, mostly within the
academic and governmental fields, the then
United States Vice-President, Al Gore, did not
hesitate to attribute to it the capacity to
strengthen democracies, foster sustainable
economic growth, resolve environmental
problems and even generate a feeling of
belonging to one single “human community”
(Soriano, 2013).
For Hashim, in his study about the leveraging of
cyber space, concluded that with the ubiquitous
predominance of smart phones and media of
communication, coupled with the existence of
social media and messaging applications, the
instant accessibility and sharing of information
in cyber space has come to be regarded as the
most transparent, engaging and interactive form
of public relations [10]. However, as transitions
go by, Contreras challenged Hashim’s
assumption, that the realm of cyberspace has
exposed post-relative truth and mythology of
expertise which further destabilized the
foundations of factual knowledge, namely
scientific knowledge and state power [11].
As reliance on social media and the
Internet for news and information rises
exponentially, political discourse is also rapidly
moving online. It is a free and open Internet,
where citizens can engage in fair dialogue and
access accurate information, thus critical to
modern democracy and human rights. Further, in
the recent research of Tucker affirmed that
despite the fact that social media democratizes
access to information, those using it can
simultaneously censor and manipulate
information to try to silence others’ voices [12].
Internet Trolls, Keyboard Warriors and the Rise
of Fake News
Deb, et.Al. characterized that social media acts
as an accelerated content platform and
distribution channel for “fake news” [13]. A
growing proportion of internet activity is ‘user
generated’, supported by the study of Burroughs
means that content produced by users, which
enters public life directly, without the
intervention or mediation of any kind of expert
or professional gatekeeper, whether a newspaper
editor, publisher, academic peer reviewer or
anthologist [14].
This has made more information readily
available to more people, and democratizes the
production of information, but it results in more
misleading information being available too. One
of the user generated personalities that misleads
information are the Internet Trolls.
In context, Schwartz supported to the idea to
Internet Trolls are characterized as deception
provocation, and futile conversation, online
political trolls are branded in primarily negative
terms [15]. These trolls are presumed to be
“maneuvers” said to be behind fake social media
accounts that advance the cause of particular
political candidates by ‘infiltrating online
conversations, specifically on Facebook, to
promote causes or candidates, and in the 2016
Philippine elections succeeded in using this
organization to disparage political opponents,
among others’ [16].
Furthermore, Ramsden characterized that
trolling is a relatively abusive online behavior
which allows offensive communication and
provoke particular reaction ranging from
annoyance to extreme cruelty via posting online
[17].
On the other hand, Wright identified that
keyboard warriors often hide with outmost
username anonymity which viciously attack
people online since virtual communication allow
greater distance than a physical attack than a
face-to-face communication [18].
Internet Trolls and Keyboard Warriors in the
Philippine mainstream media
Mass media form part of a typical Filipino’s
existence. In a study of Frago in depth
discussion with media and politics in the
Philippines, mass media in all their forms have
two basic functions: agenda-setting and
surveillance function [19]. Agenda-setting
manifests in their ability to set the public agenda
by prioritizing and projecting, in a positive or
negative manner, individuals, organizations, and
issues that are worthy of public attention and
media coverage. Nevertheless, this function
makes media become powerful tool of influence.
Evidently, during election campaign and setting
political agenda, the Internet has become an
avenue for promoting political activities and
engagements. As manifested over the past years,
both U.S. President Donald J. Trump and
President Rodrigo R. Duterte have utilized social
media in their respective political campaign, in
which, then, has shifted the means of social
media influence.
During 2016, the Philippines has an estimated
75.4 million mobile users and about 40 million
smart phone owners in 2015, in which at least
85-90% has access to Facebook, Twitter and
other social media applications [20]. Halpern
agreed with this abundant utilization of the
Internet on the abovementioned personalities, it
is with no doubt that social media has been a
factor for the electoral result [19].
Freedom House showed that the Philippines
belong to one of 30 countries in the world which
deploy some form of “manipulation to distort
online information.” It only shows that “trolls”
and “trolling” has become something of an
epidemic [21].
Moreover, there is a phenomenon called
Commercial Trolling – a type of trolling that
most Filipinos have been accounted of.
Montelibano defined that internet trolls can do
their perverse work, get away with hurting
others, and then actually earn from it. The
poverty line which less privileged Filipinos
belong makes trolling an easy income source
which can be done in Internet cafes or through
mobile phones with data connection provided by
the exploiter of a politician or partisan [22]. On
the other hand, it has not stopped at recruiting
people. Trolls have been utilizing devices to
increase the volume of trolling, computers,
mobile phones or tablets that multiply the same
messages managed by the human troll.
Bradshaw and Howard, through the
Computational Research Propaganda Project,
looked at the strategies used by political parties
and candidates to win over elections using social
media engagement in numbers. The study
asserted that hired “internet trolls” and
“keyboard warriors” have been involved in
amplifying political agenda set by political
parties [23].
Research Methodology
This chapter covers the research design and
methodology, a phenomenological study among
media practitioners and students of mass
communication and political science who
actively used social media and engaged in
political discussion in cyber politics. The study
focused on the lived experiences and encounters
of the respondents with the internet trolls and
keyboard warriors and emphasizes on people’s
subjective experiences and interpretations of the
world [23].
This study utilized non-probability purposive
snowball sampling techniques in selecting the
informants which a person’s likelihood of being
selected for membership in the sample is
unknown [24]. Furthermore, this study utilizes
purposive sampling which begins with specific
perspectives in examining and seeking research
participants to cover the full range of
perspectives; and snowball sampling which
involves primary data sources nominating
another potential primary data sources to be used
in the research. In other words, snowball
sampling method is based on referrals from
initial subjects to generate additional subjects.
To qualify the research respondents, informants
must be: (1) active users of social media, (2)
expert on the practice of journalism and media
press and (3) media practitioners on the related
field. Before researchers conducted actual
interviews, verification of personal background
was done to qualify such personal information.
In sum, those determined to qualify were ten (5)
media practitioners; five (5) mass
communication students and five (5) political
science students who study at different
universities and colleges in Cebu City.
Personal interviews and observation were used
as instruments for data gathering. Interview is
necessary when researchers feel the need to meet
face-to-face with individuals. Dr. Godfred
Annum supported to the idea on interaction and
generation of ideas in a discourse [25].
Observation strategy was used in able to obtain
first hand information about objects, and
subjects by the use of audio recorder for
collection of such comprehensive record.
A research-constructed interview guide was used
that comprises a set of structured and
unstructured questions. Interview questionnaire
were validated beforehand by the respected
professors and research faculties of Cebu
Normal University to establish rigor for the
credibility, validity of the interviews to the
questions. Each interview questions have
corresponding translations in Cebuano language.
As explained by Annum, unstructured interview
was conducted where the interviewers freely
modifies the sequence of the questions, changes
the wording and sometimes explains the
informants during the interaction this was to
allow the interviewee for the freedom of
interaction and give insights, feelings, emotions
and narrate personal experiences [26].
3.6 Data Collection
The researcher sent letters to media practitioners
for plotting the scheduled time, place or venue
of the interview and it was based on the
availability of the key informants. For the
students, the researcher’s accessibility and
convenience were the basis of the interviews.
The researcher took down notes of the responses
and personal observations of the informants and
at the same time conduct an audio-visual record
and transcribed tape recording as soon as
possible after each of the interviews. The
analysis of the data began during the interview
and continued as they were transcribed to
ascertain sufficient data to represent the various
dimensions of the phenomenon. Content
analysis was employed to examine the data in
which is a procedure for the categorization of
verbal or behavioral data, for purposes of
classification, summarization and analysis.
In times of confusion and difficulties of Cyber politics: Current Status Quo in the
informants in comprehending to certain Philippines
terminologies and wordings in the
questionnaires, the researcher explained in a way A. Political Motivation
understandable and undertaken carefully not to
alter and divert the direction of the discourse
during the interview. All translation of the
questionnaire were available for the informants
to choose between the language or dialect of
convenience, this was to ensure no language
barrier in the communication.

Results and Discussion

Characterization on the danger of internet trolls

and keyboard warriors

A. The Roles of Internet Trolls and Keyboard

Warriors in Cyberpolitics

The study of Bradshaw and Howard asserted

that hired “internet trolls” and “keyboard
warriors” have been involved in amplifying
political agenda set by political parties [23].
When asked about their perceptions on keyboard
warriors and internet trolls, key informants
revealed:

B. Provocation Attack to the Users

Social media users have often much experienced

on the provocation and personal attacks executed
by the Internet Trolls and Keyboard Warriors.
These personal attacks and emotional
provocation allow many users to be potentially
abused, discriminated and cyber-bullied inside
the virtual communication. When asked about
their relative experiences on provocation and
personal attack, they revealed: