‘It’s a problem and we’ll just let it happen’
Image: Getty Images
No less than 77% of mothers suffer from mom shaming, according to research by Kek Mama. 60% of this happens online. But as much as we think it is; We don’t stand up for each other online, according to a new study.
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Today, the Media Literacy Network is publishing a study at the start of Media Literacy Week, which shows that digital media users between the ages of 16 and 80 do not stand up for each other when they see someone publicly humiliated, excluded or ignored. And that while 70% think that we should treat each other differently online and that something can indeed be done about online offensive behavior.
‘Standing up for others should be the norm’
Mary Berkhout-Nio, program director of Netwerk Mediawijsheid, believes that we need people who actively stand up for others to combat vulnerable behavior online. Unfortunately, this does not seem to happen, despite the fact that it is considered important. “When you are attacked in the street, you hope someone is there to help you. Standing up for others should also be the norm online.”
There are several reasons why people don’t take action, the research shows. Many people don’t think they have the right skills to stand up for their fellow man. ‘The research results underline the importance of education and training in the field of media literacy, for both young and old. That is why this year’s Media Literacy Week is all about the message #houhetsocial. We are calling for active bystander behaviour’, says Mary Berkhout-Nio.
Also read – Shocking: 77% of mothers have to deal with mom shaming’ >
upstander
State Secretary Gunay Uslu of Culture and Media encourages everyone to become an upstander, bystanders who actively stand up for others to combat offensive behavior online. “These people can make a huge contribution to encouraging social behavior online. Media Literacy Week makes people aware of the fact that you can always do something against offensive behavior online. If we tackle this problem together, we can make the online world a safer place for everyone.”
Little trust
The younger generation in the 16 to 24 age group, in particular, is most likely to stand up for others online. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen as often as they would like, because they are afraid of being targeted themselves. Young people indicate that they have little confidence that their actions can make a difference. And they think that others are not interested in their meddling. We must therefore teach young people in good time what the possible consequences are of hurtful behavior online and how to recognize this behaviour. We must give them the confidence that their actions can indeed make a positive difference,’ says researcher Esther Rozendaal, associate professor of Digital Resilience at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
mom bracing
Let’s all make the online world a bit more beautiful and try to address antisocial behaviour. Fortunately, this is happening more and more often, according to our own research. 54% of mothers say they sometimes stand up for another mother who gets comments. 65% have also helped an unknown and clearly struggling mother in the form of a heart under the belt or a helping hand. Hopefully this serves as a good example for the rest of the antisocial behavior online. In that regard, there is still a lot to gain. In our digital society, it is important that we know how to act in the event of undesirable behavior on social media. #love itsocial.
Source: Media Literacy Week.
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