Hate Speech in the Era of Social Media

Emily Walsh 

ew845717@ohio.edu

 

As social media is now ingrained in our societies' social norms and daily routines, we can see that over-exposure to information and media has caused desensitization in many forms. How does this desensitization pose a threat to our culture? 

With the BLM movement being amplified this past summer, it has been brought to my attention the importance of being thoughtful and intentional when using social media. Many videos of black people experiencing police brutality surfaced the internet and would casually appear on your feed with little to no warning. This  brings up the concern that the video content is not educational, but rather is traumatizing viewers and normalizing racist imagery and violence. 

Another case were we see desensitization is sexual content in advertising and on social media. As many of us have heard in marketing or advertising classes, the phrase "sex sells" is commonly used. With younger and younger kids are using social media, it is important that exposure to sexual content does not impact youth in negative ways such as reinforcing stereotypes or setting unhealthy standards. 

Also, scrolling through online platforms like Twitter or Instagram looks a lot different today versus when I first got them about 10 years ago. Just as relationships look different when you are first dating your significant versus when you are 10 years married to them, as people have grown more comfortable with the use of social media, their manners and filters have become less apparent. 

A big issue that comes with that lack of manners and use of a filter is the normalization and blurred lines of hate speech. We often see strong language and opinions online, but when does something change from being the exercise of free speech to hate speech? With the current president's Twitter account being banned at times for the material he is putting out onto the platform, it is clear that this is no little problem. 

Many companies are making an effort to stop hate speech on their online platforms. According to an article by AP News, Reddit has even banned an online forum that supported Donald Trump because is repeatedly encouraged violence and broke Reddit's rules.

Allison Langley wrote on this topic that the normalization of hate speech online is harmful in that it prevents people who are fighting for freedom, tolerance and nondiscrimination from speaking up. I agree and in that sense believe that hate speech hurts free speech. 

 

Picture source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2018/11/23/if-social-media-algorithms-control-our-lives-why-cant-they-eliminate-hate-speech/?sh=5b0277486c01

It is great that many companies are doing their part in discouraging and banning hate speech, but honestly it is sad that as a country, we just simply don't treat and speak to others with respect. As a culture we could do better to to be respectful to others and when we do disagree, to do so respectfully. We as journalists can help change this culture by normalizing productive communication skills such as asking questions, listening, and Tweeting responsibly.