New research shows the extent of this depressing trend. Social media platforms and MPs have to get a grip of it
I’ve never liked the term “real life” to signify “not online”. In an era when social media is central to much human interaction, and a phone can bring the whole world into our palms, the idea that what happens on the internet is somehow “less real” feels like it’s missing the point.
This is not least the case for victims of online abuse; sites like Facebook and Twitter have become breeding grounds for very real hate. New research by the disability charity Leonard Cheshire, released today, shows online disability hate crime has soared in the last year, with recorded incidents up by almost a third. It’s important to be careful with such stats: while an increase in reports could indicate a rise in incidents, it might also represent proactive police forces and more survivors willing to speak out. At the same time, the charity stresses such a rise is likely the “tip of the iceberg” as it is a notoriously underreported area; for instance, traditional reporting methods, such as the phone, may not be accessible for some disabled people.
Continue reading...from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2JbeP1V
