Haters

Intro

I’m not sure how mainstream the Gamergate controversy ever got but its the first to come to mind since it dominated what internet culture looked like for a while, though its died down considerably since 2016. The scandal was cultivated around Zoe Quinn’s (an indie game developer) Depression Quest in the alleged intrests of preserving ethics in games journalism before eventually encapsulating anything interpreted as ‘forced diversity’. Researchers at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society described Gamergate as a "vitriolic campaign against Quinn that quickly morphed into a broader crusade against alleged corruption in games journalism" (p. 18). Long story short a handful of women and minorities were targeted in loosely organized online harassment campaigns it eventually drew mainstream attention, and was largely condemned by the gaming industry. Unfortunately, these issues are still prevalent; legislation is slow and most of the web remain unchartered lands.

The Impact of the Online Disinhibition Effect

One of the more common explanations for the toxic behavior so normalized in online interactions is the Online Disinhibition Effect a cyberpsychology term that describes the lack of restraint people feel in online communications. In Reading the Comments Joseph Reagle references the term internet balls which Urban Dictionary defines as “The courage to use a computer screen to write “whatever you want, to whomever you want”  in a way you would not if you were face to face: “That would require having balls when you’re away from your computer.. which you don’t.” (ch. 5 § "Alienated").

People feel safer sharing their opinions online rather than in person as they feel both detached and as compeers.  This can empower people to be more outspoken about their opinions regardless of how controversial or benign they may seem. What's the worst that could happen they get mad or offended but can't fight argue or hold the offender accountable to any legitimate capacity. "Researchers estimate that between 10 to 30 percent of online reviews are fake"(ch. 3 § "Manipulated")

Examining the Consequences of Online Harassment

A lot of the external readings I looked at had a tendency to portray online haters and trolls as amorphous forms with some form of anti-social personality disorder or empathetically deficient but in my opinion, I find it hard to believe that its a completely individual fault or moral failure rather than a fault in the design and environments fostered by some if not many online communities or spaces.

The Potential for Positive Change in Digital Spaces

At the least, we should consider the potential ramifications of neglecting this problem and how it can and should be addressed. Online communities should work to foster a welcoming climate where everyone's viewpoints are accepted and acknowledged. Better systems for controlling and monitoring user conduct could also be developed by social media platforms to ensure that individuals who act maliciously or harmfully are held accountable or at the very least addressed.