"They're only words."

Trigger warning: The following article addresses digital violence and hate speech on the internet.

Have you ever been insulted? Probably. How did that feel? Did it make you angry? How did you react? Take a moment to think about it. Was there a threat from the person? In most cases, probably not. Hopefully. But have you ever been insulted by a person whose dangerousness you couldn't assess? How would you feel if you couldn't identify the identity of this person and the person had access to information from your private life? 
It's the same old story: social media is virtually omnipresent in our networked world. It's not easy to escape its advantages, after all, large parts of social life are organised through it. We are practically addicted to digital recognition and social networks continuously supply us with it. Almost everyone has at least one account on some internet platform and many share insights into their own lives and activities at least irregularly. 
With the public sharing of information and personal opinions comes a lively exchange with others and their opinions. These are usually formulated respectfully, but in their negative extreme form they express themselves in insults, threats or sexual harassment – in short, hate speech and hate comments. The anonymity of the internet and the ability to quickly and directly send messages and comments to a person makes this much easier. You don't have to reveal your identity to spread hate on social media. And this spread of hate happens frequently and often. A study by the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (2019) shows that one in twelve people has personally been affected by hate online. According to a study by the State Media Authority NRW (2020), it is particularly the age group of young adults between 14 and 24 years old who are affected. 
But what can these hate messages do? The saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is probably known to most people. If one believes this, hate speech online should have little intimidating effect and bounce off those affected. They're just words, aren't they?
Nonsense! In fact, hate online is not just an annoying aspect of social networks, but can have far-reaching consequences and affect the mental health and sense of security of those affected. Those affected report emotional stress, depression, fear and anxiety. The consequences are understandable when you consider what those affected are confronted with. If someone is confronted with threats and insults in real life, that is also intimidating. In real life , however, there is also the uncertainty about the person behind it, as well as the mass of people who may support the attacking person's side. The real danger behind the messages is difficult to impossible to assess and the hate can overwhelm those affected like an avalanche when many people come together. Sometimes it seems as if you get no approval, as if the haters dominate. That hate speech is perceived extremely subjectively is shown by a study by Duggan (2017): whilst the same comment is dismissed lightly by one person and perhaps even as entertaining, it can trigger fear and insecurity in another person and trigger experienced trauma. The potential consequences of hate comments are fatal on a psychological level.
On the internet, however, there is additionally the uncertainty about the person behind it, as well as the mass of people who may support the attacking person's page. The real danger behind the messages is difficult to impossible to assess, and the hatred can overwhelm those affected in an avalanche-like manner when many people band together. Sometimes it seems as though one receives no approval, as though the haters were dominating. That hate speech is perceived extremely subjectively is demonstrated by a study by Duggan (2017): whilst the same comment may be dismissed lightly by one person and perhaps even as entertaining, it can trigger fear and insecurity in another person and trigger suffered trauma. The potential consequences of hate comments are fatal on a psychological level.
What follows from this is intimidation. The studies mentioned above also found that hate online leads to restricted freedom of expression on social media. Due to the fear of being confronted with hate comments, many users don't dare to participate in discussions and share their opinions on social networks. This reduces the diversity of opinions on the internet, so that the threat posed by hate comments becomes overwhelming and respectful, sometimes supportive comments don't get enough space.
Hate speech online is a serious problem and can have serious consequences for those affected and beyond for general free discourse. These findings are worrying, but not hopeless. Hate on the internet is no longer tolerated and active work is being done against it. Associations, groups and foundations are mobilising to fight hate online – including the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Campact, das Nettz and the No Hate Speech Movement. The counselling service Hate Aid has specialised in helping victims of digital violence and even offers them free legal support. In this way, contact points are created for those affected and public awareness-raising work is carried out. Those affected are no longer left alone.

Milia Geisler

Sources:
Duggan, M. (2017). Online Harassment 2017. Pew Research Center.

Eckes, C., Fernholz, T., Geschke, D., Klaßen, A., Quent, M. (2019). #HATE ONLINE: The Creeping Attack on Our Democracy. Jena, Germany: Institute for Democracy and Civil Society.

Forsa. (2020). Hate Speech. Key Findings of the Current forsa Study 2020. State Media Authority NRW. Accessed via: https://www.medienanstalt-nrw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/NeueWebsite_0120/Themen/Hass/forsa_LFMNRW_Hassrede2020_Praesentation.pdf (14.01.2021).