From the perspective of the population, what has changed in the climate on the Internet? Has there been an increase or decrease in exposure to digital hate since 2020?

Already in 2020, the research group g/d/p conducted a nationwide population survey on the topic of hate speech on the Internet on behalf of Professor Hoven (University of Leipzig). Professor Hoven leads the three-year research project “The criminal law approach to hate speech on the Internet” funded by the Federal Ministry of Justice. The aim is to examine the phenomenon of hate speech from a criminological, criminal law and criminal procedural perspective.

Two years later, the research group g/d/p carried out a repeat measurement using the same methodology to detect changes in the area of ​​hate speech on the Internet.

MIMIKAMA
Results of a representative population survey by Prof. Elisa Hoven, University of Leipzig and the research group g/d/p from Hamburg

The results of the current survey do not indicate an easing of the threat posed by online hate. On the contrary: the proportion of those affected is growing and with it the proportion of people who feel restricted and express a need for tougher sanctions.

Within two years, the proportion of those affected by hate speech rose from 18% to 24%.

Every second respondent has refrained from posting a post out of fear of hate speech or has consciously worded posts more cautiously. In 2020, this applied to 42% of those surveyed.

Currently, 49% of those surveyed are of the opinion that insults on the Internet should be punished more harshly than personal insults. In 2020, the proportion of those in favor of tougher sanctions was 43%.

There is a risk that, despite the legislative proposals mentioned above, important voices in the public discussion will become quieter or that expressions of opinion will be withheld entirely. This affects voices from both women and men. Men have “caught up” since the last survey two years ago, so that currently not only every second woman, but also every second man formulates their own contributions more carefully or refrains from posting them due to concerns about hate speech.

There are also clear differences in how people perceive and are affected by online hate speech depending on the age of the respondents: the proportion of people affected by online hate speech decreases with increasing age. Members of Generation Z are most often affected: one in two respondents under the age of 22 have experienced hate online themselves.

You can access the study HERE

About the research group g/d/p

The g/d/p is one of the top market research and consulting companies in Germany. We work with qualitative and quantitative methods and offer comprehensive and precise analyzes as well as insight-based advice. We have been working for leading international companies from all sectors as well as public institutions for more than 40 years.

You might also be interested in : “ Mimikama the belief? The Fact Check Podcast Part 15: Hate on the Internet! ", " Hatespeech or cyberbullying: What exactly is hate on the Internet?

Source : press portal


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