5 TIPS TO COMBAT ONLINE HATE
JULY 7, 2020 — JORDY NIJENHUIS
Recently, racism and online hate have been heavily in the spotlight. After the large-scale Black Lives Matter protests and the ensuing social debate, several multinational companies — including Unilever, Coca Cola and The North Face — decided to stop advertising on social media for the coming months. They believe that platforms such as Facebook and Twitter do too little to combat online hatred and the spread of fake news. Some politicians also call for stricter regulations on social media.
Action against online hate appears to be necessary. After all, our previous studies into the #HobbyHaters showed that toxicity on social media has increased significantly in recent years. And recent data also shows that, after the initial calming effect of the corona crisis, the upward trend in online hate continues.
Amount of Dutch toxic messages on Twitter. Source: Textgain
But we shouldn’t just sit back and wait until politicians finally implement new regulations, or see whether the ad boycott delivers any results. We can do something meaningful ourselves in the fight against online hate. With these five tips you can make a difference:
1. Don't offer online hate a bigger stage
Do not share or retweet hateful content; this only ensures that it spreads further. Also ‘shaming’ a person or post, and sharing funny but inflammatory images or memes contributes to the spread of hatred.
Do not respond with angry emojis to hateful content, as this increases visibility on social media.
Be aware that online hatred is not decisive for the social debate or public opinion. Hate speech is used deliberately by a select group of people to steer the debate in a certain direction.
2. Don't spread fake news
Is an article inflammatory and divisive? Then pay attention! Many fake news messages are designed specifically to polarise. Before you share an article, ask the following questions:
Who is the author?
What are their intentions?
What sources do they use?
Do they leave things out?
Also make sure to compare the coverage with other platforms and (quality) newspapers before sharing.
3. Report inappropriate content
Illegal content and comments can be reported to the police.
Fake news and hate speech can also be reported to social media platforms.
4. Intervene as an Upstander when you see discrimination
Talk to the perpetrator with positive norms and values. It is advisable to "activate" these norms and values in the perpetrator. An example: "I am surprised that you say / do that, because I thought that you value equality as important."
Give room to the victim's feelings. Online, the consequences of racism remain invisible, because the perpetrators do not see a physical reaction in the victim. For example, do this by asking, "Can you imagine that you might feel less comfortable at work if you regularly hear these kinds of comments about your parentage?"
Talk from a group perspective. For example, if you work for the same company, if you are both football fans or local residents. If you share something with each other, it is easier to address each other.
5. Don't argue with #HobbyHaters
Do you want to combat hate or post something positive under a hate message? Try to do this as briefly and concisely as possible in one post. Long discussions may attract other #HobbyHaters.
Does an account have a one-sided signature that mainly shares hate and inflammatory content? Then this account is probably a #HobbyHater. You are probably not able to change his or her opinion, but you do provide the hater with extra oxygen by arguing.
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