Social media and online trolling: examining the legal developments in platform responsibilities for tackling trolling in the US, UK, and Australia

Social media platforms have provided individuals with the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas on a global scale. Nonetheless, they have also inadvertently given rise to a disconcerting trend known as trolling. Trolling refers to deliberately provoking, offending, or upsetting others online for amusement or to elicit an emotional response. Trolling can manifest in various forms, such as hate speech, cyber-abuse, cyber-bullying, and spreading misinformation. This chapter explores the recent legal developments pertaining to the liability of social media platforms in relation to trolling across three jurisdictions: the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It begins with highlighting the issue of trolling, covering its definition, prevalence, and impact on victims. Subsequently, the chapter delves into the legal landscape of each respective country, focusing on their online safety legislation and court decisions. The chapter’s concluding section presents key observations and insights drawn from the preceding analysis.