The percentage of Swedes who are exposed to online hate has doubled in the last three years. This is according to a report from the Internet Foundation.
It seems to be worst for young people aged 12-19, and especially for young men.
– They have obviously decided that it is okay to be very hard on each other online, says Måns Jonasson, internet expert at the Internet Foundation.
More and more Swedes have to endure a tougher online climate when hatred, threats and violations spread. According to the Internet Foundation, it may be a trend that continues.
– We saw a dramatic increase a few years ago and it continues and even increases. Obviously, something has happened to the conversational climate on the internet that affects how we act towards each other, says Måns Jonasson, internet expert at the Internet Foundation.
Young people most vulnerable
According to the report, young people aged 12-19 are exposed to online hate to a greater degree than other ages. In just three years, the percentage of victims has increased from 9 percent to 20 percent, i.e. one in five young people in 2024. The biggest increase has occurred among young men – where one in four young men received threats, hatred or abuse this year.
– Something has happened that means that mainly young men, but also young girls, have obviously decided that it is okay to be very harsh with each other online, says Måns Jonasson.
He believes that it is difficult to determine what the development is due to, but there are theories.
– It can be part of a masculinity problem, that there is a macho culture that gives expression to being very tough and mean to each other. Men have a harsher tone towards each other, says Måns Jonasson.
“A democracy problem”
In the long run, internet hate can lead to, among other things, psychological problems, according to the internet expert.
– This can lead to people feeling bad, they become depressed, that you don’t feel like you want to contribute online. In the long run, it can be said that it will also become a democracy problem. Who should dare to express their opinion if they are afraid of being exposed to online hate?
The Internet Foundation has also taken the pace of Swedes’ relationships with social media. The report shows that Swedes see both advantages and disadvantages of the internet.
6 out of 10 respond that social media facilitates contact with loved ones, while 4 out of 10 believe that scrolling takes up far too much time from their lives.
– The numbers show very clearly now that there is a problem especially among young people, says Måns Jonasson.