The disconnect between the "real world" and the internet is so bizarre to me. People on the receiving end of troll attacks are not 0's and 1's they are in the real world and the attacks can have real effects on them.

Being mean to someone because you are bored is really sad. I am guessing that these same trolls would not go to a supermarket and start spouting their negative opinions and comments to people's faces. "Hey you, your choice of breakfast cereal is so f'ing stupid! You must be the worst person alive. My choice is much better in every way!" or "Nice face and way to be a different religion, color, or gender than I am. You suck! You have no right to be in this store!"

Perhaps some of these people would do that for entertainment, but at least there would be actual consequences. They would be shunned. Someone might actually stop them. They would at least have to do it out in the open to show others what kind of person they really are. Perhaps a current or possible future employer would see them for who they are. "Oh I was just about to hire you but then I remember that you were that asshole in the store last week who was belittling that grandma because she was buying that magazine you don't like. Piss off!"

At least it would take guts to be an asshole in public.