Answer to Question #216022 in English for Zama

Question

What is the impact of social media on racism?

Answer 1

Social media promotes a kind of individualism whose outcome has a direct impact on how racism and hate speech is articulated online. It is also affecting how we understand hate speech. 

In social media, a racist comment does not define the individual. Following a racist comment, the user will not necessarily see his or her account closed, but their comment will be blocked, muted, silenced, or deleted. In digital environments, we are connected individuals but we’re isolated in a constant present. Social media has promoted racism on a higher notch with all sorts of racial segregation been promoted on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. On the other side, it has helped curb the abuse of racism through Twitter handles and hashtags.