'Reclaim the internet' - how to create a more woman-friendly online culture

[KateMumsnet]

Hey all

Justine's speaking today at a conference organised by 'Reclaim the Internet', a cross-party campaign which aims to tackle the growing problem of online abuse, and in particular, misogyny on social media.

To mark the launch of the campaign, Demos conducted research into the 'staggering scale' of the problem by monitoring the use of the words 'slut' or 'whore' by UK Twitter users. They found that 6,500 people were targeted by 10,000 such tweets in the space of three weeks - pretty appalling, but alas, not terribly surprising.

The campaign is canvassing suggestions for ways to make the internet a better place for everyone - and as we know from experience that MNers have a lot to say about how to create a more woman-friendly internet culture, we thought we'd ask for your views. There's a campaign forum over here, or you can leave your thoughts here on the thread and we'll feed them into the consultation.

Thanks all

MNHQ

50% of mysogonistic tweets from women. Not to mention the bullying here on MN. Maybe change the attitudes of women?

If you're fingering MN, you're on a different page to this thread, MissMatted.

I have just pulled up the last youtube video I watched, according to my internet history. It is a martial arts demonstration sequence by a 5th degree black belt, i.e. someone very, very good. However, the exponent happens to be a woman.
Look at the most recent comment. And that is mild for youtube and twitter. Yet it is still demeaning and reduces an accomplished athlete to the status of sexual object.

I think you guys are massively overreacting. Offensive stuff shouldn't be criminalized, because a person is entitled to say how they feel even if you get offended by it. If they found what you said offensive, you wouldn't want to be in trouble for it would you?

I hate Obama and I have lots of things to say about him. Democrats would likely find each and every comment I have to make about him offensive to their views. But I'm damn glad I have the freedom to be "offensive" by challenging what they think.

I agree, that is a threat rather than just saying something offensive. And threats should be, and are, dealt with by the authorities. My argument was that simply saying offensive things shouldn't be criminalized, because it sounds like a lot of posters think they should. For example people are talking about reporting it when women in the news are called sluts and whores. That's really nasty things to say, but people do have a right to say things that you find offensive. You have the freedom to tell the world your thoughts, but others are allowed to react to that opinion in a negative way. Whether that is by challenging it in an argument, or by insulting them with nasty names because of what they said. Like I said, I have lots of comments I want to make about Obama because I hate him. I'm pretty sure that any Democrat would find what I have to say offensive, but it's my opinions, it's my thoughts, I don't give a damn if it offends you, because I have a right to say it. And by extension to that, I think you are wrong to be going along this line of thought that offensive stuff should be banned or criminalized. Why should it be a crime if you get upset by what I have to say?

For example posters/ tweeters etc repeatedly reported should have their internet via the media they've used be it mobile or home suspended

Trouble is you could have MRAs filing multiple reports on feminists.

So chilled i take it you also think that the n word should be used to describe a person of colour.

because in both instances the they are derogatory terms In one case it is racist in the other (calling women sluts and whores ) is mysogynistic Both are prejudiced and vile.

I don't think anyone advocated criminalising unpleasant rightwing or misogynist views.

However, if you make physical threats or racist remarks against Obama, the authorities would try to track you down and probably prosecute - definitely would for threats - just as if you said this in rl.
That seems fair: same laws & consequences for the internet as for rl speech or publishing in a newspaper.

What many of us want is that the law be enforced for ordinary victims of online violent threats or of racial abuse, just like they would for public figures.

The libel case I quoted earlier was where a wealthy conservative politican received damages for being libelled on Twitter.
Also fair, because such libel causes as much harm as being libelled in a newspaper.

Watching with interest.

Chilled, you have set up a straw man. If you read my post, I didn't say anything about criminalising what is currently free speech (I'll let others talk for themselves). And take it as read that we understand the point that people should be able to criticise others - you're labouring this but I doubt any of us don't get it. There are a range of things that can be done that don't involve criminalisation. Off the top of my head: police training and encouragement to prosecute online crime, quicker action to take down revenge porn, ISPs reviewing their editorial policies, education to improve young people's understanding and resilience.

personally i think women have a great means of communication via mumsnet and similar

i don't have a problem with mysogonistic views and would prefer an open free internet where all views can be given

that was always the point of the internet...

You're ok with women, girls, ethnic minorities, LGBT people being driven out of mainstream public spaces by hate? (This is NOT about views; it's about hate.)

Words fail.

Bloody hell Ego