It appears to be easier to devalue others when communicating online. The lack of physical presence and perhaps emotional cues causes a lack of recognition of the humanity of others. Dissociative anonymity, asynchronicity, perceived lack of repercussions and a host of other factors can cause disinhibition, where an otherwise civil individual can change their tone and method of communication to insulting and hostile interactions.

The popular webcomic Penny Arcade published a comic strip on flamers, referring to their hypothesis as “John Gabriel’s Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory”. In the comic, the creators suggest that an otherwise normal person, granted anonymity and an audience will become a “total fuckwad”. Basically, given a stage and lack of consequences, the worst side of a person is more likely to emerge online than in person.

Similar to flamers are trolls, who engage in inflammatory discussion via negative, hurtful, overzealous or otherwise destructive postings or messaging, specifically for the purpose of provoking an emotional reaction.