How Social Media Influences Hate Crimes

#socialmedia

Research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice has found that study samples of individuals in the United States who have engaged in violent and non-violent hate crime and other forms of extremist crime were influenced by social media.

A key finding was that extremists in the study group may mirror the general population in their use of various social media platforms, particularly in terms of reliance on Facebook. Although the sample size was relatively small, and less than 20% of the study sample said they used Facebook, use of Facebook was found to be significantly higher than that of any other social media platform.

Social media has become a powerful amplifier of discord and hate, contributing to violence in various ways. Here are some key points:

1. Online Taunts and Threats: Social media platforms often host long-standing rivalries between groups. Online taunts and threats can escalate tensions, leading to real-world violence. For instance, a clash on Instagram among teenagers who had never met resulted in the tragic deaths of two friends in Philadelphia.

2. Global Trends: Hate speech disseminated online can have severe consequences. Analysts note that trends in hate crimes around the world often mirror changes in the political climate. At their most extreme, online rumors and invective have contributed to violence ranging from lynchings to ethnic cleansing.

3. Correlation with Hate Crimes: Statistics show a correlation between increased social media usage and hate crimes. As social media use rose by 3.1% from 2019 to 2020, hate crimes based on race and ancestry increased by about 32% during the same period.

In summary, social media can both amplify existing tensions and contribute to the rise in hate crimes.