The internet was supposed to make democracy more open and accessible, but instead, it’s become a breeding ground for toxic political trolling. This piece dives into how online spaces—once hailed as forums for free debate—are now weaponized to spread division, misinformation, and harassment, undermining trust in democratic institutions.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever scrolled through political comments and felt like you were wading through a sewer, you’re not alone. This isn’t just about rude internet strangers—it’s about how coordinated bad-faith actors and algorithms are distorting public discourse. When online toxicity spills into real-world politics, it erodes the foundation of how societies make decisions. That’s worth paying attention to.