What is a bot? Bot is short for “robot” and is basically a computer program that pretends to act like a person online. Instead of a real human typing, liking, or replying, a bot is software designed to do those things automatically. Think of it as a digital stand-in, clicking, posting, and commenting without a heartbeat behind it. People (or organizations) use bots to spread messages, push opinions, or stir up reactions, and they can do it nonstop, all day, every day, because they’re not real.

Now my intention is not to spread fear about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Not all bots are bad, some actually make life easier by answering customer questions, checking the weather, or even helping doctors track public health trends faster. But others are built to mislead, argue, or stir up trouble, especially on social media where emotions run high.

My intention is simple: to create awareness.
I spent my career as a Public Health Nurse, and teaching is a passion. Lately, I’ve watched countless online debates about vaccines, autism, and other medical topics spiral into chaos. Having worked in public health, I’ve met people from all walks of life with different cultural beliefs and approaches to medicine. I respect that, as long as those choices don’t harm others, everyone deserves the right to make their own health decisions.

But the educator in me can’t stay silent when information is twisted, exaggerated, or deliberately spread to stir anger or fear. That’s when my public health instincts kick in, and yes, my blood starts to boil because misinformation doesn’t just confuse people; it can truly hurt them.

So what does this have to do with bots? Public health announcements on social media are meant to spread awareness and educate the public. But I started noticing that almost every post attracted a disparaging comment. That’s fine if people genuinely believe the “jab” is harmful, that’s their opinion. But some of the comments I saw were not only misleading but also didn’t even make sense for the topic. I also noticed that people were getting angry and arguing with these accounts, trying to change their minds. No matter how much evidence or clarification was offered, the responses were pure nonsense, which only fueled more anger. Honestly, there’s already enough anger circulating these days. So, I decided to dig deeper, and discovered that many of these posts weren’t coming from real people at all, but from bots. That’s when I really got upset. Why would something nonhuman want to make people angry?

Here is what I found:

1. Manipulation and Control:
   Anger spreads faster than calm discussion. When people are upset, they share posts more often and stop thinking critically. This makes it easier for bad actors to manipulate opinions or create chaos.
2. Political or Social Influence:
   Some organizations use bots to push political agendas, stir division, or weaken trust in government, science, or media. The more divided people become, the easier it is to influence them.
3. Profit and Engagement:
   Social media platforms reward engagement. Angry comments and heated arguments keep people scrolling and clicking, which means more ad revenue. Some bot creators exploit this for profit.
4. Disinformation Campaigns:
   Bots can flood feeds with false or misleading information so that real facts get drowned out. The goal is confusion, making it hard for people to know what’s true.

Bots Vs Trolls

If this wasn’t bad enough, I also learned there are trolls, and they’re a whole different kind of trouble. While bots are computer programs that automatically post or react online, trolls are real people who intentionally stir up conflict. Their goal isn’t to share facts or find solutions, it’s to get a reaction. Trolls thrive on arguments. They twist words, make things personal, and push emotional buttons to keep people fighting. Unlike bots, trolls know exactly what they’re doing, and they enjoy the chaos they create.

Here’s what trolls typically do and why:

• Seek Attention: Trolls love reactions. The angrier or more emotional the response, the more successful they feel.
• Spread Negativity: They post rude or inflammatory comments just to disrupt a positive discussion.
• Twist Facts: Trolls bend or ignore facts to keep arguments going, even when they know they’re wrong.
• Target Sensitive Topics: They focus on hot-button issues like politics, vaccines, or social justice — anything that can divide people quickly.
• Hide Behind Screens: Many trolls say things online they’d never say face-to-face. Anonymity gives them false courage.
• Feed on Outrage: They want you to fight back because every reply keeps the argument alive and visible.

The bottom line?

Both thrive when we take the bait and feed them.  We shouldn’t feed them because attention is their fuel. When you reply, argue, or try to “set the record straight,” you’re actually giving them exactly what they want, engagement. And that engagement triggers several things:

What Happens When We “Feed” Them

1. They Get Boosted by Algorithms
   Every comment, reply, or reaction signals to the platform that the post is “popular.” The more people argue, the more visibility it gets, so the bot or troll’s message spreads even further.
2. You Waste Emotional Energy
   Bots don’t have feelings, and trolls don’t care about truth. When you argue, you end up drained and frustrated while they move on to their next target.
3. They Shift the Conversation
   Their goal isn’t to debate, it’s to distract. By engaging, the real message or purpose of the post (like a public health announcement) gets lost in chaos.
4. They Divide Communities
   The back-and-forth fuels anger and mistrust among real people reading the thread. That division is exactly what the bad bots are trying to create.

In a strange way, knowing this information has really changed my attitude for the better. I get less upset when I read horrible posts. I have hope that this is a result of a bot or troll trying to “stir the pot” and not my intelligent community that knows enough to have a healthy debate over our differences. It also made me realize that if I feed them with a comment, they win no matter what. My effort to educate them was lost and it boosts their engagement. I will not give up my quest to educate, which I hope has happened here.

I hope you see that no matter if it is a bot, a troll, or a real human; positive posts are more likely to stomp out hate, and I think we can all agree on that.

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Patricia A Woods