By understanding the complex dynamics underlying trolling behavior in VR, this research contributes to the development of interventions aimed at fostering positive experiences. The interviews revealed a range of motivations driving individuals to engage in trolling behavior within VR environments.

Here are a few quotes from our interviews with the community. Due to their sensitive nature, all speakers have been anonymized.

“Yes I troll, but I do not crash people. [Rick Rolls]. Yes, it’s mainly that, that’s as far as I go. And if they say they’re uncomfortable, I just stop.”

“I say ‘Hey’ and then I troll them! I be doing some of this, and then watch this shit though…[yells] [yells in someone’s face]…I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“I took a naked avatar in front of a minor and started swinging. You know what In his face. It feels great. He started crying, but it feels great.”

“If they have something really bad in their bio, like “dominate me” I’ll go up to them and make fun of them. It just depends. If they have something really cringy in their bio, I can’t help myself. I also don’t just make fun of people, I try to act as weird as I can and make people block me.”

“When I was bullying people, I didn’t know I was bullying people, I was just teasing them because I thought it was funny. I think I made fun of this one kid, I think he was gay. He used a yo-yo and I used to pick on him.”