Topic 3 Online Versus ‘In Real Life’

Hate Speech and micro-aggression online can by no means be seen detached from ‘real’ life. Because people experience a certain level of anonymity when being online, a kind of disinhibition effect can be observed on the Internet. Opinions or statements that in real life are often only openly represented by a small group, are published online with only a few clicks away and thus find a big stage on the Internet. Behind them are often extremist people who use the possibilities of the internet for their propaganda. The lack of a direct counterpart, the opportunity to remain anonymous and the knowledge that they are hardly ever held accountable all further contribute to this disinhibition.