Insulting direct messages, inflammatory comments or even the distribution of stolen nude photos: every second European between the ages of 18 and 35 has been affected by digital violence.

This is the result of a survey published on Thursday by the German consulting organization HateAid and the Landecker Digital Justice Movement.

Across all age groups surveyed, almost 30 percent of men and around 27.5 percent of women stated that they had personally experienced digital violence.

For the study, which is representative according to the organizers, 2000 people between the ages of 18 and 80 from all EU countries were interviewed.

Julia Anton

Editor in the Society department at FAZ.NET

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The high number of those affected surprised them, says HateAid managing director Anna-Lena von Hodenberg to the FAZ In an online study with German participants evaluated by the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society in 2019, only one in twelve stated that they had ever been affected by hate speech to be. Von Hodenberg cites the corona crisis as possible reasons for the increase: "Since the pandemic, all age groups have moved significantly more in the digital space." Many young adults in particular work predominantly digitally. "But also the lack of prosecution and the arbitrary deletion practice of the platforms have encouraged brutalization."

More than two thirds of the respondents also stated that they had already observed digital violence against others.

"While you rarely experience insults on the street, this is an everyday experience on the Internet, especially for young people," says von Hodenberg.

In the 18- to 35-year-old age group, more than 90 percent stated that they had witnessed digital violence several times.

Women in particular express less fear of hatred

The advisory organization from Berlin believes it is important to no longer just talk about hatred and agitation, but also about violence. “The phenomena have broadened. If nude photos or addresses are stolen and distributed, it goes beyond hatred and agitation, ”explains Anna-Lena von Hodenberg. In the survey, digital violence is defined as "various forms of degradation, harassment, discrimination, social isolation and coercion of other people on the Internet". In addition to insults and hate speech, this also includes cyberstalking and the sending of dick pics.

While women and men reported about the same frequency that they had already experienced digital violence, there were large differences in the consequences. While around 43 percent of the male respondents said they were less likely to express their opinion out of fear of hatred, the figure was as high as 52 percent among women. "Today there are many public debates in the digital space, from which many people, especially women, are systematically displaced by digital violence," warns von Hodenberg. It affects freedom of expression, but also political commitment and freedom of the press, when politicians and journalists no longer express themselves out of fear. "Social networks are no longer a leisure activity, but public places that you have to go to, for example to work or take part in debates."

Digital violence against women is characterized by sexualization, such as threats of rape or the distribution of stolen or faked nude pictures.

In the consultation, it was also found that content reported by women is more often justiciable.

It is also noticeable that many underestimated how much content they could actually display.

Better control of the platforms required

HateAid therefore demands that the legislature make the platforms more accountable. A proposal for a law on digital services, the Digital Services Act, is currently being drawn up at EU level. "Platforms have to delete illegal content and also ensure that it is no longer distributed," said von Hodenberg. In the case of a widespread nude photo, for example, users would currently have to request the deletion of each individual post. In addition to a point of contact in every country, to which users can easily submit complaints, more transparency is also required in the algorithms. “The platforms highlight certain people and positions in particular. What are the criteria for this? ”Asks the HateAid managing director. In the survey, 80 percent of users also stated that they wantedto be able to better control the algorithms of the platform. Just as many complained that the platforms did not adequately protect users from digital violence.

It was only in mid-October that a report by former Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen highlighted Facebook and its algorithms. The American reported on studies by Facebook that showed that hateful content was easier to encourage users to engage in, such as likes and comments. This commitment, in turn, is an important criterion for the algorithm - Facebook is therefore consciously promoting corresponding content. In addition, the group knows that a lot of problematic content is currently not recognized with its system and deleted.

“We have to keep our basic values ​​online, too,” demands Anna-Lena von Hodenberg.

Until the legislature and the platforms take action, civil society can also play its part: "It helps many affected people if someone publicly stands by their side and supports them in filing complaints." In a democracy, the following applies: "An attack on one is an attack on us all. "