Facebook's Abusive Content: A Peculiar Pattern
A modest fraction of social media users in Denmark are responsible for the majority of the posted hate speech.
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A Danish study, though specific details remain scarce, suggests a minority of Facebook users generate the bulk of abusive content. This intriguing revelation comes from an analysis of 73 million posts and comments on the social media giant.
Unveiling the Abusive Underbelly of Facebook
The study, conducted by Trygfonden and Analyse & Tal, found that approximately one in 20 comments on political or public debate pages contain abusive content. This alarming discovery was made using AI technology.
The project's leader, Christoffer Elbrønd, reported a troubling consistency in the abuse, which predominantly targets race, gender, or disability. Individuals from the Middle East, women, and those with mental disabilities experience the highest proportion of such attacks.
The Abusive Few, the Silenced Many
Shockingly, 1.5% of users are responsible for generating 100% of these abusive comments. This eye-opening fact underscores the stark reality that a majority are subjected to attacks by just a handful of users.
The research also revealed that 68% of the most abusive comments on politicians' Facebook pages are written by men, and individuals aged over 40 account for 80% of the attacks.
The Global Influence
Elbrønd stated that abusive tone on Danish Facebook is greatly influenced by global events, suggesting a troubling interconnectedness of hate speech across borders.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the world is becoming a more peaceful place at the moment, and that is reflected in the debate," he said.
The study also suggests that an aggressive style in the words chosen by media and politicians significantly increases the likelihood of abusive responses.
The Call for Responsibility
Everyone on social media is urged to consider the tone they use to express their views, while platforms are encouraged to take responsibility for moderating content that crosses the line.
"You can be a good host for the debate sparked by your post," Elbrønd added.
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- The Danish study, which analyzed 73 million posts on Facebook, suggests that a small percentage of users generate the majority of abusive content, often targeting race, gender, or disability.
- Despite the global influence, the troubling interconnectedness of hate speech across borders is reflected in the debate, as shown by the study.
- The research further reveals that individuals from the Middle East, women, and those with mental disabilities experience the highest proportion of abusive attacks.
- In light of these findings, platforms like Facebook are encouraged to take responsibility for moderating content that crosses the line, while everyone on social media is urged to consider the tone they use to express their views.
