Is it possible to neutralise online hatred with positivity? Can we turn the tide of poison that freely flows on social media platforms?
While the white flag has been flown by many, we can – with resolve and a refined focus on commenting on the good.
ABC-TV breakfast host Lisa Millar recently copped it big time over her choice of skirt (ABC presenters wear their own clothes) – and some media outlets prolonged the pain by republishing the flood of shocking, personal comments.
Studies have shown that women are more often in the crosshairs of online hate. And by hate, I mean comments that malign and threaten.
The poison has seeped far and wide, with regular people being targeted as well.
I have written a weekly column in Queensland news media for 20 years.
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From the beginning, I received letters from readers – so many delightful and thoughtful, even if they disagreed with my opinion.
I also had the occasional threat: some angry criticism of my gender, name and hair colour, and other sexual and violent suggestions over the years.
Those communications professionals – with their faces on TV or online – have it worse.
And influencers have it worst, with the digital age multiplying the nasties by offering perceived anonymity.
My UniSC colleague Renee Barnes, an expert in online trolling, found in her research that the visual and verbal cues we have in person are removed online, erasing a fundamental component that moderates our behaviour.
But that doesn’t entirely explain the venom spewed by seemingly regular people who adopt a frightening persona online.
My friend, Sweden’s leading health and fitness influencer, shared with me some of the hideous comments she receives weekly over her body, clothing, vibe – her everything.
It is hair-curling, corrosive stuff no person should receive.
Some will say to just focus on the positive and if you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen.
But the digital world is where almost all of us work and connect.
Disconnection is not an option.
So we must take the high road and cast some light into the dark online space: if someone deserves praise for something, give it.
Making positive contributions to online threads can do so much good.
Dr Jane Stephens is a UniSC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer. The views expressed are her own.
