Disinformation and hate speech widespread due to internet use
Published: Thursday, Dec 7th 2023, 10:01
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Over half a million people in Switzerland lack the skills to check fake news. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), more than 60% of 15 to 29-year-olds have also been confronted with hate speech on the internet.
Half of respondents had seen false or questionable content or information on information sites or social media in the three months prior to the survey, the FSO reported on Thursday. Compared to 2021, this corresponds to an increase of six percentage points.
Half of the people who discovered such content said they had checked the truth or the source. A further 17 percent said they lacked the skills or knowledge to check it.
More than a third of respondents stated that they had come across hostile or derogatory messages towards certain groups or people online. Among social media users, this figure was just under half, the study found. Characteristics of the people affected are political or social opinions, origin or religion
Every two years, the FSO surveys the internet usage of people aged between 15 and 88 in 3,000 households. The surveys took place from April to July 2023.
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