Online anonymity weakens the social norm policing prejudiced speech
Evidence
The Internet encourages the expression of (extreme) views without the same level of policing, or suppression, as in ordinary conversations. For instance, blatant sexism is rife on Facebook and Twitter. Extreme views against Romani people (which can be found on the majority of run-of-the-mill newspaper discussion forums around Europe) arouse little suspicion from editors or little opposition from other ordinary users. The salience and weight of an operative social norm against prejudice in conversation is signifi cantly diluted in online environments. — Cristian Tileagă, The Nature of Prejudice, 521
Categorization
- XREF: Extends the reader’s notes on how communication technology shapes culture and community. — connects to: Networked audiences enable public enforcement of social norms — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 575; Radical online openness paradoxically produces a more filtered, self-censored self — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 632; Modern anonymity does not weaken regard-based social sanctions. — Philip Pettit, Republicanism: A Theory of Freedom and…, 1029
Related
- Networked audiences enable public enforcement of social norms (similarity 0.80)