Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started.

by Syl Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:09 pm

"Online hate speech in the UK and US has risen by 20% since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report.

Youth charity Ditch the Label commissioned the study, which analysed 263 million conversations in the UK and US, between 2019 and mid-2021.

It found 50.1 million discussions about, or examples of, racist hate speech in that time.

The report found that these conversations spiked around major news events.

These included the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic in March 2020, the Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020 and the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59292509?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

by Syl Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:12 pm

Are people now more racist, sexist, ageist, fattist etc....or are we just more sensitive now?
Has the pandemic brought out the worst in online keyboard warriors, or is it just we have more time to muse over insults? scratch

by eddie Tue Nov 16, 2021 10:10 pm

I have no idea why the pandemic has increased “hate speech”?!

I’d like to know what people are referring to as “hate speech” though.
I’d like to start there. I think that’s important.
Any examples?

by Syl Wed Nov 17, 2021 1:06 pm

eddie wrote:I have no idea why the pandemic has increased “hate speech”?!

I’d like to know what people are referring to as “hate speech” though.
I’d like to start there. I think that’s important.
Any examples?

I suppose people see hate speech differently. What one person may shrug off as banter, or just an idiot trying to score a point...someone else may see it as inciting hatred.
This link that followed the link I posted gives some examples of what is considered hate speech by the writer....and how nothing is done about it

"I'm the BBC's first specialist disinformation reporter - and I receive abusive messages on social media daily. Most are too offensive to share unedited. The trigger? My coverage of the impact of online conspiracies and fake news. I expect to be challenged and criticised - but misogynistic hate directed at me has become a very regular occurrence.

Messages are laden with slurs based on gender, and references to rape, beheading and sexual acts. Some are a mish-mash of conspiracy theories - that I'm "Zionist-controlled", that I, myself, am responsible for raping babies. The C-word and F-word are repeatedly used.

I reported some of the worst messages I've ever received - including threats to come to my house to rape me and commit horrific sexual acts - to Facebook when I received them. But months later, the account remained on Facebook, along with dozens of other Instagram and Twitter accounts sending me abuse."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58924168

by Maddog Wed Nov 17, 2021 4:39 pm

My speech hasn't changed one bit since I joined Facebook over 10 years ago.

I just finished serving another 3 day ban. All of my bans have been during the past few years and I think 3 were this year.

What's changing is what people call hate speech based on their desire to control unpopular speech.

by Syl Wed Nov 17, 2021 5:22 pm

Maddog wrote:My speech hasn't changed one bit since I joined Facebook over 10 years ago.

I just finished serving another 3 day ban. All of my bans have been during the past few years and I think 3 were this year.

What's changing is what people call hate speech based on their desire to control unpopular speech.

My speech hasn't changed at all since I first joined forums, and I don't get banned cos I am obviously more polite to people than you are. Razz

by Tommy Monk Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:43 pm

Maddog wrote:My speech hasn't changed one bit since I joined Facebook over 10 years ago.

I just finished serving another 3 day ban. All of my bans have been during the past few years and I think 3 were this year.

What's changing is what people call hate speech based on their desire to control unpopular speech.

I was just about to say that.

by eddie Fri Nov 19, 2021 7:06 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:
Maddog wrote:My speech hasn't changed one bit since I joined Facebook over 10 years ago.

I just finished serving another 3 day ban. All of my bans have been during the past few years and I think 3 were this year.

What's changing is what people call hate speech based on their desire to control unpopular speech.

I was just about to say that.

And I absolutely second that.

by Ben Reilly Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:14 pm

I disagree, look at the sort of thing she was talking about:

Some are a mish-mash of conspiracy theories - that I'm "Zionist-controlled", that I, myself, am responsible for raping babies. The C-word and F-word are repeatedly used.

I reported some of the worst messages I've ever received - including threats to come to my house to rape me and commit horrific sexual acts - to Facebook when I received them.

That's hate speech, and calling it that isn't an attempt to control people's expression, but to call out vile people.

by eddie Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:37 pm

The threats should absolutely constitute some action.

Getting called a C-word or similar, not so much.

by Didgee Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:02 pm

Okay, lets first of define what is hate speech?

Today you can be classed a bigot for saying that biological sex is binary in humans

It can be classed as hate speech for saying only females have a cervix

Has hate speech really risen??

Or has the goal posts been shifted to included the most absurd views to classified as hate speech today?

The fact is what matters more is how things like domestic violence, violent crimes have increased etc

That needs to be tackled more than how social media platforms, are now defining what people can or cannot say

You tackle hate speech and I mean real hate speech, which is a targeted hate towards a specific group, with reason, common sense and a rational to show up why hateful views against a group are wrong

by Ben Reilly Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:09 pm

Hate speech is traditionally defined as threatening, either to an individual or to a group, carrying connotations of violence, or a "call to arms."

Expression of bigotry shouldn't be classed as hate speech unless it's accompanied by threatening language.

by Didgee Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:16 pm

Ben Reilly wrote:Hate speech is traditionally defined as threatening, either to an individual or to a group, carrying connotations of violence, or a "call to arms."

Expression of bigotry shouldn't be classed as hate speech unless it's accompanied by threatening language.

These statements have been classified as hate speech:

"Trans women are biologically or natal male"

"Only women have a cervix"

"Jokes are funny"

"Dave Chappelle is funny"

This is how ridiculous society has become

We now see +40 years apart that comedy is seen as hate speech

When will people learn, even more Dave had a very close trans women friend, who he now supports their family since they died

Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started. Netflix

Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started. Netflix

Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started. 109-1

You have to watch the tambourine lady, saying repent

I mean, what the fuck:

by eddie Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:20 pm

Just like most things nowadays, people over-exaggerate their “hurts” and their “feelings”.
If a real actual threat is made then that’s fine, it’s warranted, but people are using the term “hate speech” when someone simply says they think fat people should eat less for example.

It’s becoming ridiculous.

by Syl Fri Nov 19, 2021 11:37 pm

In legal terms....

"Hate speech covers many forms of expressions which advocate, incite, promote or justify hatred, violence and discrimination against a person or group of persons for a variety of reasons. It poses grave dangers for the cohesion of a democratic society, the protection of human rights and the rule of law."

by Didgee Fri Nov 19, 2021 11:46 pm

Syl wrote:In legal terms....

"Hate speech covers many forms of expressions which advocate, incite, promote or justify hatred, violence and discrimination against a person or group of persons for a variety of reasons. It poses grave dangers for the cohesion of a democratic society, the protection of human rights and the rule of law."

This was considered hate speech by the Labour Party:

Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started. FEavm-eXMAU8w4W?format=jpg&name=medium

Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started. FEavm-eXMAU8w4W?format=jpg&name=medium

by Didgee Fri Nov 19, 2021 11:51 pm

By the way sex is a protected category and so is gender reassignment

Gender identity is not protected

This is exactly what I mean when people are punished for their beliefs and here in a biological reality of what is sex. Being that women is defined as adult human female

This is the reality we live in now

People are punished for their beliefs

This is regression, not progression

As how is a belief in the biological reality of women considered now offensive?

Words fail me on this Syl

by Syl Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:05 am

It's ridiculous that stating 'Only women have a cervix' is a hate crime, it's a fact of life.

I believe now some idiots bend over backwards to humour the odd few for fear of being branded transphobic.
Which will be how perverts dressed as women end up in female only prisons....sometimes with dire consequences.

by Didgee Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:09 am

Syl wrote:It's ridiculous that stating 'Only women have a cervix' is a hate crime, it's a fact of life.

I believe now some idiots bend over backwards to humour the odd few for fear of being branded transphobic.
Which will be how perverts dressed as women end up in female only prisons....sometimes with dire consequences.

Which is the issue

Most people have no issue with trans people like myself

They can believe what they like and good luck to them and more power to them

The issue is treating people that disagree that trans women are women, as criminals

When they believe that sex matters

Its casting aside the concerns of females

This is not progression but regression

by Syl Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:18 am

Didgee wrote:
Syl wrote:It's ridiculous that stating 'Only women have a cervix' is a hate crime, it's a fact of life.

I believe now some idiots bend over backwards to humour the odd few for fear of being branded transphobic.
Which will be how perverts dressed as women end up in female only prisons....sometimes with dire consequences.

Which is the issue

Most people have no issue with trans people like myself

They can believe what they like and good luck to them and more power to them

The issue is treating people that disagree that trans women are women, as criminals

When they believe that sex matters

Its casting aside the concerns of females

This is not progression but regression

I agree. People can be what they want to be as long as they are not harming others.
Trying to foist your lifestyle on others is wrong.
Live and let live works both ways.

by eddie Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:15 am

The trouble with the term “hate speech” is that it has become so meaningless, we hear it all the time, so we have started to equate it with “whining” In other words, the phrase “hate speech” has lost its power.
And that’s the same as saying “Love you!” every single time you come off the phone to a loved one.
It means nothing if you say it as a reflex. It loses its power.

Words have a meaning.
People have stopped using words wisely, that’s the problem.

by Syl Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:32 am

eddie wrote:The trouble with the term “hate speech” is that it has become so meaningless, we hear it all the time, so we have started to equate it with “whining” In other words, the phrase “hate speech” has lost its power.
And that’s the same as saying “Love you!” every single time you come off the phone to a loved one.
It means nothing if you say it as a reflex. It loses its power.

Words have a meaning.
People have stopped using words wisely, that’s the problem.

So true.
It's like the word 'racist' has been bandied about so much over forums for years, I dont even see it as a valid comment now.
And which swearwords still have the power to shock?
They may not be nice, but they have scant effect now.

by eddie Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:38 am

Agreed. Words have lost meaning and it’s us human beings who are to blame.

We used words like they would always mean something, like they carried weight and others would look at them and realise that they weighed more than gold.

They don’t weigh much anymore because no one values what anyone else says.

by Syl Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:34 pm

eddie wrote:Agreed. Words have lost meaning and it’s us human beings who are to blame.

We used words like they would always mean something, like they carried weight and others would look at them and realise that they weighed more than gold.

They don’t weigh much anymore because no one values what anyone else says.

And that has happened over the last 2 or 3 decades, so we are all to blame.

I am old enough to remember when the F word was banned from cinema, in fact, I think the first time I saw a mainstream film that used the word was one where Barbra Streisand said it...shock horror, and coming from a woman too. Shocked

by gelico Sat Nov 20, 2021 3:30 pm

Judging by the answers it seems maddog nailed it with the opinion that ''hate speech'' pah

hasn't increased at all. Peoples' sensitivities and desire to feel offended has risen massively

by eddie Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:54 am

gelico wrote:

Judging by the answers it seems maddog nailed it with the opinion that ''hate speech'' pah

hasn't increased at all. Peoples' sensitivities and desire to feel offended has risen massively

Yep. Everyone is always offended now. It’s like a special club for special people. Rolling Eyes

by Tommy Monk Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:58 am

And I say...

FUCK THE LOT OF THEM!!!

lol!

by eddie Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:09 am

I concur.

by Syl Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:22 pm

I want to play Devil's advocate now though and say.... some people have reason to be offended.
There is a gap between being insulted in a petty online exchange because you are called fat, or ugly, stupid etc, and threats or language said that is obviously hate speech.

In the past I really objected to being called the C word, it didn't shock me, but it did piss me off. In real life it wouldn't happen, so why should I stand for it on a forum? Why should anyone?

Maybe for everyone who has hurt feelings because it suits them...there will be someone else who deliberately sets out to hurt, even if they are outside the boundaries of actual 'hate speech'.

In short, what happened to just being kind to people?

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Online hate speech has increased by 20% since the pandemic started.

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