Conspiracy Theory and Harassment
Why is conspiracy theory so prevalent?
Because people instinctively seek explanations for uncertainty and events — and conspiracy theories offer simple, intentional stories that satisfy that need. Cognitive biases (pattern-seeking, confirmation bias, distrust of authority), emotional drivers (fear, need for control or group identity), and modern information environments (social media algorithms that amplify extreme, emotionally charged content) all combine to make conspiratorial ideas easy to believe and spread.
Why is it so easy to fall victim to hoaxes & fake news?
One of the most potent means of controlling our own behavior has always been the fear that we will be judged, ostracized, and potentially harmed by our words and deeds. Whether we fear the pronouncements of religion against gossiping or the retribution of an employer, an authority figure, or the community as a whole, the fear of consequence has helped to keep society civil.
Those who felt passionately about an issue had plenty of time to carefully choose their verbiage and consider the effects of their words, as it took time to hand-write or manually print pamphlets or decrees. Even publishers of newspapers and magazines took legal advice on controversial subjects to insure that they would be protected from libel.
Fear of consequence and time to reflect created a buffer between our brains and the dissemination of our opinions, beliefs, or anger. That buffer, thanks to the internet and specifically to social media platforms has been erased. The ability to instantly express our feelings, and to attack those with whom we don’t agree, without fear of consequence and in many cases without the fear of being identified, has for some people, not only removed the civility, but has granted incredible, intoxicating power over the lives of those around us.
45% of online victims
In the past three years, an estimated 2.5 million cases of cyber stalking have been reported in the United States alone. On average, cyber stalking by a stranger lasts for two years. When the stalker is known to the victim (ex, spouse, friend, family member, colleague, etc.), on average the stalking campaign lasts roughly four years.*
Together, through empowerment, education, and advocacy we can effect change and create a safer more inclusive online experience for all.
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