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The Effect of Content Moderation on Online and Offline Hate: Evidence from Germany's NetzDG

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  • Jiménez Durán, Rafael
  • Müller, Karsten
  • Schwarz, Carlo

Abstract

We study the online and offline effects of content moderation on social media using the introduction of Germany’s "Network Enforcement Act" (NetzDG), which fines social media platforms failing to remove hateful posts. We show that the law transformed social media discourse: posts became less hateful, refugee-related content less inflammatory, and the use of moderated platforms increased. The NetzDG also had offline effects by reducing anti-refugee hate crimes by 1% for every standard deviation in exposure to far-right social media use. The law reduced hate crimes partly by making it harder for perpetrators to coordinate, without changing attitudes toward refugees.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiménez Durán, Rafael & Müller, Karsten & Schwarz, Carlo, 2022. "The Effect of Content Moderation on Online and Offline Hate: Evidence from Germany's NetzDG," CEPR Discussion Papers 17554, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17554
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Muxin Li & Ksenia Shakhgildyan, 2025. "``Frenemy'' of Two Giants: Amazon and Apple," Working Papers 25-06, NET Institute.
    3. Ying Bao & Jessie Liu, 2025. "Spiral of Silence: How Neutral Moderation Polarizes Content Creation," CESifo Working Paper Series 12008, CESifo.
    4. Felix Chopra & Ingar Haaland & Fabian Roeben & Christopher Roth & Vanessa Sticher, 2025. "News Customization with AI," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 372, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    5. Aarushi Kalra, 2025. "Hate in the Time of Algorithms: Evidence on Online Behavior from a Large-Scale Experiment," Papers 2503.06244, arXiv.org.
    6. Ying Bao & Jessie Liu, 2025. "Spiral of Silence: How Neutral Moderation Polarizes Content Creation," Papers 2511.19680, arXiv.org.
    7. Andres Raphaela & Berger Lara Marie, 2025. "Digitale Medienmärkte: Was tun gegen Hassrede und Falschinformationen?," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 105(3), pages 161-166.
    8. Ying Bao & Jessie Liu, 2025. "Beyond Takedowns: How Moderation Shapes What Gets Created," EconPol Forum, CESifo, vol. 26(04), pages 47-51, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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