The internet
– a risk to
democracy?
Thanks to online petitions and digital voting systems, it has become easier to form an opinion and actively engage in politics. Unfortunately, the internet also makes it just as easy to manipulate other people’s views. Hate speech and fake news that spread quickly on the web pose a risk to our democracy.
Hate divides society
The internet is increasingly being misused to marginalize or intimidate certain people. Attacks are often aimed at things like a person’s skin color, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age, disability, or religion. Alternatively, people might be targeted because they belong to a certain section of society or because they have a particular job. Yet political viewpoints are targeted, too. Attempts are made to stop anyone who thinks differently from expressing themselves, and many people pull back because they feel unable to cope with such huge pressure. Of course, that is exactly what their attackers want. If they can silence others, then it appears as if their opinion is the only one that counts. And, as you would expect, this eliminates key perspectives from debates. This is how extreme political ideologies can spread, and that is a threat to our democracy.
Inspiring democracy
Deutsche Telekom’s brand promise is “Life is for sharing”. Our aim is to harness digitalization to promote a feeling of community. This responsibility means far more to us than simply ensuring data protection and data security. We give as many people as possible access to the web and to education. And we’re passionately committed to improving the population’s media literacy. These are key prerequisites for ensuring digitalization inspires democracy rather than restricting it.
SDG 16 – Peace, justice, and strong institutions
Our measures support the 16th goal of the United Nations Agenda 2030.
Stamping out hate speech on the web
In collaboration with 44 partners, we are campaigning for an online world that people can navigate with confidence without having to fear marginalization. As part of these efforts, we primarily focus on online civil courage. We want to raise awareness and encourage people to take a stand. That is why we initiated #TAKEPART – No hate speech. Since the campaign started in 2020, we have achieved 720 million media contacts. The focal point in 2021 was gaming. Under our “Gaming – where the fun stops” banner, we and our partners are taking a stand against hate in gaming, too. And in the #equalesports initiative, we have teamed up with the e-sports organization SK Gaming and the esports player foundation to promote equality and diversity in e-sports.
370
With our diverse range of media literacy programs and communication campaigns, we reached some 370 million media contacts in Germany alone in 2021.
Project ideas for children and young people
Our media literacy initiative “Teachtoday” offers parents and teachers content on our chosen key topics. In this way, we are helping them introduce children and young people to complex issues. Content centering around codetermination on the web, for example, addresses the topic of digital democracy and teaches children how they can actively shape society. Content focused on being brave online examines the topic of digital civil courage for younger target groups. There is also a project that teaches students how to argue their point of view respectfully in an online debate, among other things. Under the title “Gaming: Keeping it fun”, we provide child-friendly options for gaming – another of our focal points. The “SCROLLER” media magazine also examines our chosen key topics for the target group of nine- to twelve-year-olds.
Written and spoken content on digital democracy
In addition to telling the story of an assassination that gave birth to democracy, the “My vote counts” issue of We Care also explains why Grandpa always reads two newspapers, why voting is the smartest form of protest, and what could happen if Europe collapses. It shows how everyone can effectively help shape politics on the web.
In our “Digital Crime – When Words Become Weapon” series, we have released six podcasts about online hate. “#TAKEPART – No hate speech” campaigners have their say along with experts and cooperation partners.
What shows the way?
If a breakthrough in technology changes our lives, we need to agree on a new set of rules. The new traffic regulations that were required when cars became widespread over 100 years ago are just one example. As such, trends like digitalization are neither positive nor negative to begin with, but neutral. It is up to us to shape them responsibly. That is why we need new rules for the internet, too. These cannot be dictated by individuals. They must be established jointly. We are keen to contribute to this process.
In the “Digital Responsibility” section of our corporate website, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of the digital world with experts. In the framework “Corporate Digital Responsibility@Deutsche Telekom” that we will publish in 2022, our efforts to bring a sense of responsibility to the digital world focus on people. In 2018, we joined forces with the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and five other companies as founding members of the “Corporate Digital Responsibility” initiative. In 2021, this initiative published a CDR code. By signing up to this code, we are entering into a commitment to comply with specific principles. We were also one of the first companies in the world to establish self-binding guidelines for working ethically with artificial intelligence. And because we are aware that this can only be the first step, we are continuously refining these guidelines in consultation with experts and stakeholders.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Our network expansion measures support the ninth goal of the United Nations Agenda 2030.