The Dark Side of Quora: Popular Questions, Trolls, and User Misbehavior

From the moment I joined Quora in 2010, I've observed a troubling trend: some users engage in user misbehavior, particularly in response to questions posted by individuals who often feel belittled rather than supported.

Understanding the Phenomenon

It's not uncommon for individuals to feel the need to belittle or invalidate a question or its asker when they provide an answer. This type of behavior stems from a lack of confidence in their own opinions, leading them to attack others instead of addressing the query head-on. Such actions can be deeply disappointing, but they are unfortunately quite prevalent.

Statistical Insights on Question Quality

As a seasoned Quora user, I've come across various types of questions. About 10% of the questions are posted by trolls, aiming to disrupt or belittle the community. Approximately 40% of the questions are duplicates, having been asked and answered multiple times. Another 20% are so stupid that they can be easily answered via a quick internet search. This leaves about 30% of the questions that are worth addressing in detail.

For those 30%, some users feel compelled to answer every question simply because it appears in their feed. However, this is not a must. It's crucial to discern which questions deserve your time and effort. Forcing oneself to answer every question can lead to a deluge of inaccuracies and malice.

Characteristics of Misbehavior

Misbehavior on Quora often takes the form of bullying and harassment. This is not a surprising trend given the anonymity of the internet and the lack of reliable age verification mechanisms.

For instance, it's not uncommon to see users claim to be as young as 8 years old, which is not only legally questionable but also contributes to a hostile environment. Despite Facebook's rule about users needing to be 13 or older, Quora has not implemented similar age checks, leaving misbehavior largely unchecked.

Roots of Misbehavior

The internet can create a sense of anonymity and detachment that can lead to aggressive or bullying behavior. It's not just about age; anyone can hide behind a screen and act out. Misbehavior is a natural part of human nature to some extent, with everyone having their triggers and reasons for engaging in such behavior.

Some users misbehave because they:

Find the question's wording aggressive or inappropriate. Identify harmful prejudices within the question. Feel the question is obnoxious. Perceive the question as an act of harassment against another individual.

While it's important to acknowledge that all of us have triggers and biases, it's equally important to recognize that bullying on Quora is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The lack of mechanisms to protect the askers of questions means that the brave individuals who seek knowledge and understanding online are often the targets of this misbehavior.

Conclusion

Quora, with its vast community, has faced numerous challenges. User misbehavior, ranging from trolling to bullying, is not unique to this platform. However, with awareness comes the potential for improvement. By discussing these issues openly and working towards solutions, we can create a more respectful and inclusive environment for all users.