Online Hate Speech and Anonymity
The rise of social media has provided us with masks of anonymity. We can say, act and spread whatever we want to with no repercussions and very little guilt. This fosters an environment for cyberbullying, misinformation, fake news, hate speech, and sometimes even hate crimes.
Hate speech is a very common phenomenon online and refers to when individuals express harmful messages against individuals or groups in violent or offensive ways. This can include anything from using slurs to sending targeted death threats. Individuals are more free on the web and are much more likely to say things they would never say in real life. This is called the Online Disinhibition Effect. This psychological phenomenon can be both positive and negative. It can lead to freer communication and creativity, where limits that are usually imposed are removed, but it can also lead to aggression and disassociation from the real-life effects of one's actions (like the impact that cyberbullying has on the victim).
Anonymity provides protection for those that use it. You can exercise your right to free speech while effectively hiding behind the screen. This can be misused by trolls and bots who seek to spread hatred, but it is also a crucial tool to protect whistleblowers, activists, and people seeking to challenge authority. Without this protection, they are much less likely to step forward as this might cause risks to their livelihoods. Our identities can often be used against us. VPNs are often employed to keep people surfing the web from being tracked and keep their information secure and I believe that this type of anonymity should continue to be provided on social media as well.
But there is a dilemma. On the one hand, anonymity removes accountability. In the case of online criminals sending threatening messages, anonymity ascertains that the messages cannot be traced back to them and they cannot be punished. It means that there will not be any real-world and legal repercussions for actions. For example in the cases of cyberbullying, where hate pages are created and harmful comments are posted. Without anonymity, all this can be traced back to the offenders and they will face consequences. Without traceability, they can continue to terrorize and make fun of individuals.
A commonly proposed solution to problems such as hate crimes and hate speech online is to demand personal identity verification on social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It would solve the problem of accountability but would simultaneously threaten our right to privacy as we would willingly be giving up our personal data to these businesses, associating ourselves with all we share.
On the other hand, removing the right to anonymity removes an important aspect of free speech and an important forum for people to mobilize for a cause. Anonymity is often a scapegoat for hatred that would exist even without it. But how do we react to hate speech if we cannot trace it?
The main thing that can be done is to flag or report accounts that spread fake information or harmful messages. Apps such as Instagram and Twitter will block accounts that violate community guidelines and take down bad posts. Additionally, if it's an individual being targeted you should reach out to them and support them. Accountability can be achieved in other ways than removing anonymity. Counterspeech can be an effective method to fight against hate speech. Screenshots and documenting hate speech can also be used as evidence later. Also, unfollowing accounts that post dangerous content, and encouraging others to do so, can work to limit the spread of their messages.
Sources:
Social Media: Should people be allowed to be anonymous online? - BBC Newsround
https://training.rsf.org/how-to-respond-appropriately-to-online-hate-speech/
How Anonymity Affects Cyberbullying (trulioo.com)
Improve Your Online Therapy Skills: Learn to Use Online Disinhibition Effect | Person Centered Tech
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