Let me talk to you about Charlottesville, trolling and the need for digital civility
A week after the terrible events in Charlottesville that led to the death of Heather Heyer, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) launched an initiative to crack down on hate speech online. Prior to the announcement, laws against hate speech did not cover social media and online communications.
At first glance, the evil act of a right-wing protester ploughing a car into a crowd and the CPS announcement seem disconnected in all ways except the presence of hate. But, on closer inspection, it is vital we see the part that aspects of social media are playing in these problems so that we can take steps to cultivate much-needed ‘digital civility’.
Problematic algorithms
Social media platforms function around taste communities, taking note of the things you search for, watch and share and then pushing towards you similar content. This creates echo chambers where users increasingly only interact with opinions they themselves approve of. Of course echo chambers are not new, but the hiddenness of these echo chambers (how many users are consciously aware that this is going on) and their reach is unprecedented.
In addition, social media platforms (notably Facebook) use algorithms to determine which posts make it to the top of users’ newsfeeds. Since provocative and sensational posts get shared more than nuanced and balanced posts, the former are pushed higher up.
Put these two aspects together: ubiquitous hidden echo chambers and provocative posts that sensationalise opposing views and what do you have? An online environment that is fuelling a breakdown in civility. Opposing views are caricatured until they are demonised, blind spots are reinforced until they become prejudices, and headlines are sensationalised until they become fake news.
If you find the above alarming (and it is) please do not think that digital technology is the problem and start harking back to a golden yesteryear. Yes, there are embedded problems in the programming that need to be addressed, but the users and coders are human beings and that is where we must focus as we seek to cultivate digital civility. 1. Disagree with view, but respect person
Remember that behind every post that you disagree with is a person made in the image of God. This does not eradicate differences of opinion, but recognises the value of the person despite differences of opinion.
2. Get out of your echo chamber
As Os Guinness writes, in his book The Case for Civility, ‘The right to believe anything does not mean that anything anyone believes is right’. But how will you know whether another person is right, or whether you are right, unless you interact with those you disagree with? Do you have various feeds or just the feeds you agree with? Do you caricature those you disagree with, or do you take the time to read their strongest argument and most insightful critique of your view?
3. Fools rush in
Don’t write a post or tweet in anger and don’t share things that are sensational without researching a bit more – you could be sharing fake news!
4. Take the conversation offline
John Stott used to have a rule that he would personally contact anyone that he was about to write a critique of, to listen to them and to give them the right to reply. There can be a form of cowardice in hiding behind a tweet or blog, but never speaking with the person face to face. Loving your neighbour as yourself means giving them the same time, generosity and right of reply that you would want.
