Taking a Stand Against Online Hate: Germans Urge Politics to Act!
Germans Massively Demand Political Response - Urge for Online Intervention: Most Germans Urge Politicians to Combat Online Hate Speech
Time spent online exposes many Germans to hurtful, disrespectful, or aggressive behavior. That's the key finding from a Forsa survey commissioned by RTL for Action Day against Hate and Abuse Online on June 18.
Action Day: Speaking Up Against Online Hostility
Over two-thirds (71%) of the surveyed individuals have encountered hurtful remarks or hostile conduct on the web - and the numbers rise among younger generations and those highly active on social media.
However, while 16% have become personal targets of online hate, 84% claim they have not experienced such incidents. This pattern demonstrates that the cost of online harassment is not evenly distributed, with younger generations bearing its brunt.
Despite personal exposure or not, a clear majority (70%) believe that politics is falling short on addressing online hate. Even supporters of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) voice their dissatisfaction, amounting to 55%. Conversely, only 14% fear that measures against online hate infringe upon free speech, with 83% expressing contrasting views.
The United Nations established June 18 as the International Day for Combating Hate Speech in 2021. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the danger of AI amplifying and spreading hate and bias this year. "We must confront toxic narratives with empowering messages and educate people to identify, reject, and prevail over hate," he said.
Stern, part of RTL Germany, supports the Action Day with the "Together. Against Hate and Abuse" initiative. This week, the network delves into online culture's impact, offering practical advice, examining the effects on young minds, and exploring legal measures. The Ministry of Digital Affairs, too, shares their plans in this fight against online hostility.
Hint: The survey was conducted by Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany between June 10-12, 2025. The sample is representative, with a statistical error tolerance of +/- 3 percentage points.
Terms: Online Hate, Free Speech, Forsa, Polling Institute, Action Day, Threats, Abuse
Enrichment: Recent reports indicate ongoing concerns regarding online hate, conspiracy theories, and extremism in Germany. German authorities and political figures have engaged in discussions about managing online extremism, even employing tools such as tasers for law enforcement, reflecting broader debates around security and digital harms. The presence of conspiracy theories like QAnon and opposition to COVID measures in Germany demonstrates a climate where misinformation and hate can thrive, reinforcing the importance of strong political action to combat these issues.
- The Forsa poll, commissioned by RTL for the Action Day against Hate and Abuse Online, reveals that a majority of Germans believe political policies, including community and employment policies, are inadequate in addressing online hate.
- In the same survey, a clear majority of Germans, regardless of political affiliation, express concern that crime-and-justice issues like online hate are not receiving enough attention in general-news and politics discussions.
