When the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigned on January 19 it triggered considerable debate in traditional and social media. The discussions that have taken place on the internet since this news broke is worth reviewing in the context of online safety.
It should be noted that the former Prime Minister has not directly referenced abuse in her decision to resign, instead simply stating she didn’t have enough left “in the tank to do the job justice”.
The role of Prime Minister, especially given the events of the last five years would certainly have been draining. Anybody that has been the target of sustained abuse – online or offline – knows it also has the effect of emptying the tank.
Whatever role the abuse did or did not play in her decision to resign, it is clear that Prime Minister Ardern has faced a higher level of sustained abuse than previous politicians in New Zealand. Three main reasons have been put forward to explain that abuse: social media, sexism, and Government Policy.
We know that that the sexism that exists within society and specific Government policies provides some of the explanation for the poor behavior online – and the internet also plays a special role amplifying disharmony and abusive behaviour.
Prime Minister Ardern is not the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand, nor the first PM to front controversial policies. Why is so much vitriolic and violent abuse directed at her, and what role did social media and technology play?
1. Everybody can be heard
The internet provides everybody with a platform to be heard. Many major platforms now ban extreme abuse and threats and work closely with law enforcement.
However as we know, if you have something you want to say online – you can find somewhere that you are allowed to say it. Even on major platforms, there is no requirement for statements to be justified or supported by evidence or serious analysis. Despite that, research shows that many people consume content and accept it as accurate – especially if it aligns with their current beliefs.
Thanks to algorithms and self-selected communities – it is likely that most content people see on social media will align with their current beliefs.
2. Anonymity – for safety, and for harm
Technology allows people to remain anonymous whilst making public statements. This means they can be protected from any potential consequences of those statements. This is something that is hugely beneficial for people working to make the world a better place under the risk of persecution or harm.
It also protects people making the world a worse place.
3. The long tail of the Internet
The internet connects people who would not otherwise have found each other. This has the effect of making people feel as though they are part of a larger community and justified in their beliefs regardless of what they are. This power to connect people in minorities has no doubt saved lives, but it also connects people with harmful beliefs.
For example, those who believe terrorist attacks are “false flag” events or that vaccines contain nanobots and that the Government is the enemy will find others to confirm their beliefs. As the Prime Minister responding to a major terrorist event or fronting a pandemic response – you are likely to become a target for these communities that now extend far beyond your national borders.
Avoiding the temptation to try and turn back the tide
If you look at the problem at a superficial level – the solutions seem obvious. If a person is using their platform to cause harm – deplatform them. If bad people are hiding, remove the means by which they hide. If they are finding each other online, break up the means by which they do that.
Deplatforming has often resulted in people moving into more extreme places. There is no way to provide anonymity to those that need it, but not those that abuse it – without risking those that need it. People will eventually find others with similar views – and efforts to disrupt them tend to strengthen their distrust and anger.
The power of the internet to provide a platform for, to protect, and to connect people benefits many in society – but is clearly abused by others. The big challenge for online safety is to find ways to counteract the abuse of these capabilities – without diminishing them for those they benefit.
We can do this by working together and by innovating with technology, policy and education. We can find new ways to identify and depower bad actors – and to create more resilient online communities.
