Hatred, violence, attacks – young women in particular often have very bitter experiences on the Internet. According to a study, many people limit their online activities because of this. Minister Paus announced further laws.
According to a survey, one in two people restrict their internet use because of online hate. According to the study, young women who experience sexual assault on social networks are particularly affected. People with a visible migration background and queer people are also increasingly exposed to threats of violence and insults.
The Study entitled “Loud hate – quiet retreat” was carried out by the Competence Network against Hate on the Internet. The organizations NETTZ, Society for Media Education and Communication Culture, HateAid, jugendschutz.net and New German Media Makers have come together.
Platforms should take on more responsibility
According to the study, every second person has been insulted online. A quarter of those surveyed were confronted with physical violence and 13 percent with sexual violence. More than half of those surveyed are less likely to express their own political opinions online due to fear (57 percent), participate less often in discussions (55 percent) and consciously word their contributions more cautiously (53 percent).
86 percent of those surveyed think that social media platforms need to take on more responsibility. 79 percent agreed with the statement that these platforms should also bear financial responsibility for the social damage caused by hate online. According to information, 3,000 Internet users in Germany aged 16 and over were surveyed.
“Just one “giant tidal wave”
Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus believes better prevention of online hate is necessary. In the ARD morning magazine The Green politician also called for better enforcement of rules by the authorities and help for those affected.
Although you can now report hate posts to the respective services, you have the impression: “It’s just a huge tidal wave that comes over you, and with every post you report, ten or 20 or 100 or 1,000 more are added .” As a result, she would also feel “very powerless at times.”
Against this background, she referred to the Digital Services Act. This EU law is intended, among other things, to ensure that illegal content such as hate speech is removed more quickly after appropriate notices. Germany is also working on further national legislation, Paus continued.
With regard to enforcement, the authorities “must now be in a position to actually work there,” Paus continued. In addition, concrete help for affected people is important so that they can enforce their rights.