Sexual harassment, hate messages and insults on the Internet: everyday life for many young people

This depressing reality is highlighted by the results of the JIM 2023 study. The study highlights the need to provide young people with effective media skills and strategies for dealing with these challenges.

Worrying numbers: Sexual harassment and hate on the Internet

The JIM 2023 study shows alarming figures: a third of girls and a quarter of boys have already experienced sexual harassment on the Internet. Even more worrying is that 23% of young people surveyed had unintentionally viewed pornographic content.

These numbers should not be viewed in isolation. Insults, fake news and extremist political views are part of everyday digital life for many young people. More than half of 12 to 19-year-olds came across fake news in the month before the survey, and around half came across offensive comments.

Importance of moral courage and correct behavior

In view of these ongoing challenges, the authors of the study emphasize the importance of providing young people with practical strategies for action. The “3 tips for correct online behavior” from “Civil Heroes” include:

• Intervene/counter-speech
• Document
• Report

These tips are important for supporting teens in an increasingly hostile online world. There are also numerous advice centers that offer help with insults and hatred on the Internet.

Insights into the JIM study

Since 1998, the JIM study (“Youth, Information, Media”) has provided annual insights into the media behavior of young people. For the 2023 study, 1,200 young people between the ages of 12 and 19 were surveyed by telephone. The study is carried out by the Media Education Research Association Southwest and examines how young people deal with hatred, extreme political views, fake news and insults online. All results of the study are available on the website http://www.mpfs.de . It was carried out in cooperation with relevant institutions such as the Baden-Württemberg State Office for Communications and the Rhineland-Palatinate State Center for Media, supported by Südwestrundfunk (SWR).

Measures against hate on the internet

In response to the worrying findings of the JIM 2023 study, we should consider not only the role of young people, but also that of parents, teachers and society as a whole. It is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of digital media literacy and to actively pass on this knowledge to young people. This includes not only dealing with negative content, but also promoting safe and respectful online behavior.

Questions and answers:

Question 1: How can young people defend themselves against hate on the Internet?
Answer 1: Young people can defend themselves by learning to recognize, report and respond to hate messages. It is also important that they know how and where they can get support.

Question 2: Why is it the responsibility of schools to teach media literacy?
Answer 2: Schools play a central role as they provide an environment in which young people can acquire not only knowledge but also social and ethical skills that are crucial for using digital media responsibly.

Question 3: How can parents support their children?
Answer 3: Parents should speak openly with their children about the risks of the Internet, teach them how to stay safe online, and create a foundation of trust so that children can turn to them if they have problems.

Question 4: What role do online platforms play in combating hate online?
Answer 4: Online platforms must establish effective mechanisms for reporting and removing hate messages and actively educate users about safe online behavior.

Question 5: How can young people themselves contribute to a positive online culture?
Answer 5: Teens can contribute to a more positive online culture through positive behavior, sharing accurate information, and supporting peers affected by online hate. They can also be role models by promoting respectful communication and actively combating hate messages and disinformation.

Conclusion

The results of the 2023 JIM study clearly show that dealing with hate online requires a collective effort. Every individual, from the young people themselves to their parents and teachers to the operators of online platforms, has a role to play. Through education, awareness and active intervention, we can work together to create a safer and more respectful online environment.

To learn more about this important topic and how you can get involved, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter and our online lectures and workshops. Visit us for newsletters and online lectures to find out more and get active. Together we can make a difference and make the internet a safer place for everyone.

Source: polizei-beratung.de

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