The war we are in today has raised awareness in Israel of the problem of hate speech on social networks around the world. Antisemitic posts supporting the massacre and condemning Israel for any action, more or less justified, have unfortunately become a common sight, and many activists have mobilized to try to lobby companies to delete such posts. But behind the scenes this is a much bigger problem, which here we will explain its roots with the help of ChatGPT.
Joseph Walther, who has been studying online interactions since its inception 30 years ago until now, finds a correlation between positive online relationships and the 'camaraderie' created between people who express hostility towards other groups and individuals. He calls this a "hate party," in which hate messages are more meaningful as a form of social connection between those who spread hate than as a desire for a direct attack on the targets in question.
While there's no denying that the subjects of hate speech are an important factor in this media — but according to Walther, the main motivation behind such posts may be seeking attention and social approval from like-minded users. Contrary to the assumption that online hatred is only meant to harass and hurt, it seems to function as a kind of sick social activity, with people competing for recognition for being the most provocative or outspoken in cyberspace.
Clues within hate messages support this perspective; Codes and symbols used by hate groups often carry common meanings for the group, creating a form of communication that alienates strangers. This style of communication suggests that hate messages are intended more for internal consumption and less as direct attacks on those mentioned in them.
The gradual shift of hate speech from large networks to fringe sites also reinforces the idea that these messages are more for swearers than curses. The platforms with fewer restrictions attract users seeking uninhibited expression, and what on mainstream sites would have been labeled hate speech is becoming the norm, fostering a sense of community among like-minded people.
Further research delves into the concept of social approval as a driving force behind hate speech. "Cross-platform raids," in which users recruit their friends through one platform to harass a target on another, illustrate the social nature of online hatred. The attacks may seem antagonistic, but the basic motive is the joint activity. After the attack, the attackers boast about their actions on the platform from which they came, and crystallize the social aspect of online hatred.
Additional studies indicate a direct correlation between social approval and escalation of hate messages: when people receive positive reinforcement in the form of "likes" or similar markings to negative messages, this behavior is more likely to continue, and even worsen.
All this, of course, does not excuse the real damage caused by such behavior, but provides fascinating insights into the mechanisms that drive this disturbing phenomenon and may help formulate ways of dealing with these phenomena.
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