Gender Differences in Perceptions of Trolling in Livestream Video Broadcasting

Troll is a commonly used term for disinhibited individuals who create havoc as they lurk and lash out with the purpose of disrupting the environment in online communities. This research focuses on the phenomenon of trolling in a livestream video broadcast scenario. This study investigates the extent that trolling occurs in a livestream, whether there is a difference in the degree of trolling in broadcasts based on gender, and is there a difference in the extent of trolling behavior based on the gender of the viewer. Data were collected from 998 viewers that participate in the live broadcast platform called Twitch through an online survey. Participants answered questions regarding their experiences with overly aggressive, derogatory, and negative behavior, generally trolling, in the channel of their favorite broadcaster. Questions addressed the degree of acceptability of trolling and likelihood of intervention. Findings indicate that female viewers were more sensitive than male viewers in picking up trolling cues. Both males and females agreed that female broadcasters are more likely to be targets of sexual harassment trolling. Male viewers felt that it was more acceptable when male broadcasters were harassed than female broadcasters. Finally, gender is a factor determining intervention behavior.