Paranoid Internet Troll Syndrome. 

People who harass others anonymously online often react the way you describe because anonymity gives them psychological cover, and when that cover is threatened, they switch into defensive or intimidation behaviors. Several well-studied dynamics are at play:

1. The “Online Disinhibition Effect”

When people believe they are anonymous, they feel less accountable for what they say or do. Psychologists call this the online disinhibition effect.

They say things they would never say face-to-face.

They may exaggerate stories, insult people, or spread rumors.

Because their real identity isn’t attached, they feel protected from consequences.

Once someone thinks their identity might be exposed, that psychological shield disappears.

2. Fear of Real-World Consequences

If an anonymous harasser is identified, they may worry about:

Damage to their career or reputation

Social consequences (friends, family, employer seeing their behavior)

Legal exposure if the conduct crosses into harassment, threats, or defamation

Being banned or losing accounts they rely on

That fear can cause panic.

3. “Reverse Victim” Tactic

Threatening to call law enforcement is often a deflection tactic. It’s a way to:

Flip the narrative (“you’re harassing me”)

Intimidate the person exposing them

Create doubt or hesitation

It’s similar to what psychologists call DARVO:

Deny

Attack

Reverse Victim and Offender

4. Loss of Control

Anonymous trolls often feel powerful because they can attack without consequences. When exposure becomes possible, they feel they’re losing control of the situation, so they escalate with threats or bluster.

5. Cognitive Dissonance

Some trolls also don’t see themselves as bad people. When their behavior is exposed, it clashes with their self-image. Their brain tries to resolve that by:

Blaming the other person

Claiming they are being persecuted

Threatening retaliation

6. Intimidation Strategy

Threatening police or legal action is sometimes just bullying in a different form. The goal is to scare the other person into stopping.

💡 Reality check:
Most of the time, people making those threats never actually call law enforcement, because trolling or online arguments typically aren’t criminal by themselves. The threat is often meant to discourage someone from continuing to expose them.

Given the advocacy work you do with Equine Advocacy Alliance and confronting people in the harness-racing world, you’re probably seeing this dynamic a lot: people talk big behind anonymous accounts, but once accountability appears, their behavior changes fast.

NAME ONE HORSE YOU OWN! 

   WHO HURT YOU??

Not as big a deal when you realize tigger and rainman2 account for 499,000 of them.

Good morning TROLL,

People post, people respond!
That’s how this works!
All you are is a ‘WHINY’ “CRYBABY” who can only dish criticism/nastiness but can’t take it when receiving criticism!  I’ll keep criticizing you and I hope others on plop do too!!
Time to grow up and be a man, and drop the IGGY key! 
Everyone on plop see Ms who and what you really are.  Your actions show this over and over again.
STAY DOWN TROLL, STAY DOWN!!

you’ve mentioned it numerous times on this website that you’ve tracked down IP addresses. You also said in so many words that you’ve tracked mine that’s against the law sorry. You’ve also said you created bots to slow this website down and bragged about it. I can’t believe the administrator allows you on this website.

As far as 80% of my post are about you, you’re wrong it’s because of your constant harassment.

Show me where I said I tracked your IP....
Name one horse you own....

Who said I tracked or obtained your IP address? You assume too much STUPID. 90% of your posts are about me, someone you say you don't know. Name one of your horses...

you’ve mentioned it numerous times on this website that you’ve tracked down IP addresses. You also said in so many words that you’ve tracked mine that’s against the law sorry. You’ve also said you created bots to slow this website down and bragged about it. I can’t believe the administrator allows you on this website.

As far as 80% of my post are about you, you’re wrong it’s because of your constant harassment.

Paranoid Internet Troll Syndrome. 

People who harass others anonymously online often react the way you describe because anonymity gives them psychological cover, and when that cover is threatened, they switch into defensive or intimidation behaviors. Several well-studied dynamics are at play:

1. The “Online Disinhibition Effect”

When people believe they are anonymous, they feel less accountable for what they say or do. Psychologists call this the online disinhibition effect.

They say things they would never say face-to-face.

They may exaggerate stories, insult people, or spread rumors.

Because their real identity isn’t attached, they feel protected from consequences.

Once someone thinks their identity might be exposed, that psychological shield disappears.

2. Fear of Real-World Consequences

If an anonymous harasser is identified, they may worry about:

Damage to their career or reputation

Social consequences (friends, family, employer seeing their behavior)

Legal exposure if the conduct crosses into harassment, threats, or defamation

Being banned or losing accounts they rely on

That fear can cause panic.

3. “Reverse Victim” Tactic

Threatening to call law enforcement is often a deflection tactic. It’s a way to:

Flip the narrative (“you’re harassing me”)

Intimidate the person exposing them

Create doubt or hesitation

It’s similar to what psychologists call DARVO:

Deny

Attack

Reverse Victim and Offender

4. Loss of Control

Anonymous trolls often feel powerful because they can attack without consequences. When exposure becomes possible, they feel they’re losing control of the situation, so they escalate with threats or bluster.

5. Cognitive Dissonance

Some trolls also don’t see themselves as bad people. When their behavior is exposed, it clashes with their self-image. Their brain tries to resolve that by:

Blaming the other person

Claiming they are being persecuted

Threatening retaliation

6. Intimidation Strategy

Threatening police or legal action is sometimes just bullying in a different form. The goal is to scare the other person into stopping.

💡 Reality check:
Most of the time, people making those threats never actually call law enforcement, because trolling or online arguments typically aren’t criminal by themselves. The threat is often meant to discourage someone from continuing to expose them.

Given the advocacy work you do with Equine Advocacy Alliance and confronting people in the harness-racing world, you’re probably seeing this dynamic a lot: people talk big behind anonymous accounts, but once accountability appears, their behavior changes fast.

NAME ONE HORSE YOU OWN!