International Safe Internet Day is celebrated on February 8 , a day in which the importance of combating hate in social networks is reclaimed . On the occasion of this date, we interviewed Raquel García Trigueros, Director of Content and Marketing at Freeda Spain, the digital community that gives a voice to several generations of women.
Topics I hate the most on social media
“ Everything that is out of the ordinary is likely to generate hate : people with non-normative bodies, sexualities or ways of expressing themselves are going to be the regular object of hate” , says the expert. García Trigueros explains that the topics that generate the most hate can differ from one country to another depending on the groups that in those specific places are being singled out by public opinion as objects to direct that hate. The factors that act as triggers of hate are usually race, origin, gender, sexual orientation and religion . He tells us that there are currently three themes on which the hate seems to focus. The first is the female body, which becomes the target of haters when it breaks the rules, such as when women decide not to shave. Also if it does not adapt to the canon of thinness, in what is known as “fatphobia”. The second reason for hatred towards women would come from their race or ethnicity and the third would be belonging to the LGTBIQ+ collective.
What leads a person to insult another in networks, when they would not do it face to face?
There are several reasons why someone who wouldn’t insult another person to their face might do so online. The first is the anonymity provided by social networks and under which haters feel protected. In addition, those who want to harass on social networks can create false profiles for it. “It seems that it is the way to escape from their own frustrations and whoever does it feels very safe in doing it because they know that it will not have consequences on their person .” The expert also refers to the growing dehumanization that we are experiencing in many aspects of life, which makes haters do harm with their comments with total impunity. Closely related to dehumanization would be the lack of empathy . “Empathy arises when you see or hear or perceive in some way how your actions cause harm to a third party. They are the consequences of your actions. When we are with the devices it is something that is not within our reach, not seeing those reactions when we are on a screen. In an online context we can be more cruel to other people because we are not even aware of who they really are and the damage we are causing them. Finally, other reasons that would explain this harmful behavior would be the “drag effect” , which is nothing more than the change in behavior that occurs in people when they are part of a large group, of a mass. “It seems that our identity is diluted with the masses and sometimes we support populist arguments that are only considered valid because many people believe so, not because they are.”
Keys to combat hate on social media
The expert is clear that education is still key. Even more, educate in empathy , in putting ourselves in the place of the other also in the digital field, even if we do not see the person face to face because behind each digital alter ego there is a person who feels. “We are in an era in which it seems that self care , personal care, the self is very fashionable and is very good, but in excess it is, without a doubt, something that silences that action of perceiving feelings, thoughts or the emotions of others. That is why empathy must be worked on through education”.
García Trigueros is also in favor of having tools available to the public . “There have to be effective tools at our disposal to curb hate on the internet. For this reason, the platforms must and are working to denounce it and protect the user”, he tells us.
What to do if we detect or suffer hate messages on the Internet?
As the expert tells us, social networks already have tools that allow us to report hate , so its use is more recommended if it occurs. If we as users see that someone is being hated, we recommend raising our voices in their defense with a comment. If the object of hate is ourselves, the action we will carry out will be the one that makes us feel the safest: act, silence, omit, respond… “ In the event that the problem escalates, we should consider denouncing beyond social networks and the tools we have at our disposal. From the media and platforms like Freeda, it is important that we talk about it to raise awareness about the issue and help put an end to this phenomenon.”
What is happening in society for these situations to occur?
“ Hate has always existed, since the beginning of social networks and has been, at times, much more linked to some platforms than to others. What has been happening since the 2020 pandemic , that effect and that acceleration of the digital transformation has mainly affected the consumption of digital media and in particular social networks, where there has been an exponential increase in unique users , a lot of more people, people who also enter more and more frequently the platforms and more social network platforms and where they also stay much longer. This has repercussions in that the hate has been increasing.
The expert brings up a problem that has come to the fore due to the pandemic and that is mental health , associated in part with the panorama of various uncertainties that we have. Going through a difficult time can lead many to use hate on the Internet as a way to channel their frustrations .
“In addition, there is a general discourse that is perceived as increasingly polarized at the political level, in debates, in the media… This undoubtedly affects our behavior on the Internet. This polarization that is increasingly established has made us, in a certain way, normalize hate speech”, he explains.
“We believe that the Internet and networks can become a breeding ground for hate, which can have great consequences. If we forget that behind each screen there is a person with feelings, insecurities or battles, the networks will be nothing more than a hostile space where no one will act freely. We want the Internet to be a secure platform where there can be an exchange, expression and support”, concludes García Trigueros.
Let’s educate ourselves in empathy and before leaving a comment on a social network, let’s keep in mind that behind that digital alter ego there is a person of flesh and blood, like you and me. Would you like what you are going to write to be told to you?
