Is your child being milked for laughs Maybe he/she is a Lolcow?
What is a Lolcow?
A Lolcow is a person who is repeatedly made fun of online because they react emotionally or take the bait when people provoke them. The term comes from “LOL” (laugh out loud) and “cow” (because they are metaphorically “milked” for laughs).
How it Happens:
– Trolls provoke someone until they react, record their response, and share clips.
– Creators make compilation videos mocking Lolcows—some get thousands of views.
– Entire online communities track and mock Lolcows, making it an ongoing public humiliation.
– Some are gamers who react badly to losing, others are just people having a bad day.
– For t/weens, watching lolcow content can feel like “just a joke”—but it’s often straight-up harassment.
Why should parents be concerned?
– Watching Lolcow content normalises mocking people for reactions—making it easier for kids to see bullying as entertainment.
– Many Lolcows are vulnerable individuals—the relentless mockery can lead to anxiety, depression, and even self-harm.
– Any child can become a Lolcow. A single emotional reaction—throwing a cushion after losing a game, crying at a movie, or even laughing too loudly online—can be recorded and exploited for views and likes.
What can parents do?
– Teach your child not to ‘feed the monkey.’ Ignoring trolls is the best defense—the less they react, the faster it dies down.
– Encourage smart posting. Remind your t/ween that oversharing emotions online can turn into content for trolls.
– Keep big feelings for real-life besties. Not every laugh, cry, or frustration needs to be online.
– Remind kids that the internet thrives on drama. They do not want to be the main character in that show!
Watching Lolcows may seem funny in the moment, but it’s built on real people’s suffering. It’s worth chatting to your child about this no matter their age.
Conversation starters
For younger kids (Ages 7-11)
1. ’Have you ever seen a video where someone is being teased over and over? How did it make you feel?’
2. ’If you lost a game and got upset, how would you feel if someone recorded it and showed everyone?’
3. ’Why do you think people make videos making fun of others? What do they get out of it?’
4. ’If you saw someone being laughed at online, what could you do to help?’
5. ’What’s the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at someone?’
For older teens (Ages 12-16)
1. ’Have you ever seen a Lolcow video? Do you think it’s just harmless fun or does it cross a line?’
2. ’Why do you think people enjoy watching others get humiliated? What does it say about internet culture?’
3. ’If one of your friends started getting trolled online, how would you help them avoid becoming a Lolcow?’
4. ’Some people say ‘don’t feed the trolls’—do you think ignoring trolls helps or does it make things worse?’
5. ’How do you think social media rewards people who create drama or bully others for entertainment?’
Stay connected
Sarah and Pam
