Social Media Trolling and Political Polarization: A Qualitative Study of Pakistani Youth

Abstract

This study explores how social media trolling connects with political engagement and partisan identity among young people in Pakistan. By using the theoretical guidelines of the Online Disinhibition Effect (ODE), the research examines how online behaviors particularly trolling both reflect and reinforce political identity. This research is based on eighteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with politically active or socially engaged youth of different universities of Lahore. Through thematic analysis of their responses several key patterns emerged: trolling often acts as online misbehavior; it becomes a way for young people to express strong political emotions, assert identity, and show loyalty to their political party. Key patterns that emerged include partisan identity-based trolling, the formation of echo chambers, trolling and emotional release, and the online disinhibition effect. The findings indicated that trolling in this context appears to serve as a social and political tool and the broader implications for digital media literacy.