In a recent call on social media, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) has shared her concerns about the harsh tone that characterizes online debates. Frederiksen, who herself has been the target of crude comments, wishes to focus on how we communicate on the internet. In a post on Facebook and Instagram, Frederiksen shared examples of some of the harsh comments she has received.
“As Prime Minister, I am naturally subject to criticism, and I accept that as part of my position. But some of the comments that come my way are beyond the line of what should be accepted,” she writes. Frederiksen emphasizes that no one, regardless of position, should tolerate abuse or threats. “It is important that we all – whether we are public figures or not – can feel safe when expressing ourselves,” she adds.
The Prime Minister also reports that the number of threatening messages she receives has increased significantly. This has strengthened her desire to initiate a broader debate on netiquette. She encourages others who have experienced similar challenges to share their stories to illuminate the extent of the problem and necessitate an improvement in the tone online.
“It is essential that together we create a culture on the internet where dialogue is characterized by respect and understanding, rather than hatred and intolerance,” concludes Frederiksen in her post. With this call, the Prime Minister hopes to kickstart a necessary and constructive debate on how we can all contribute to a more appropriate communication environment on social media.