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Flaming, also known as bashing, is hostile and insulting interaction between Internet users, often involving the use of profanity.

Flaming usually occurs in the social context of an Internet forum, Internet Relay Chat ( IRC ), Usenet, by e-mail, game servers such as Xbox Live or PlayStation Network, and on video-sharing websites.

It is frequently the result of the discussion of heated real-world issues such as politics, religion, and philosophy, or of issues that polarise subpopulations, but can also be provoked by seemingly trivial differences.