(de-news.net) – According to a recent analysis from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), hate speech was seen online by one-third of German internet users in early 2025, which is a considerable increase from 2023. According to Destatis, 34 percent of German internet users aged 16 to 74—approximately 19.6 million individuals—reported encountering hate speech on websites or social media platforms in the first quarter of 2025. Regardless of whether the message specifically targeted the respondent, angry or demeaning remarks directed at persons or organizations were classified as hate speech. Compared to 2023, when 28% of people had comparable situations, this number shows a significant increase.

The poll reveals differences in exposure to online animosity between generations. Hate speech was reported by nearly half of users between the ages of 16 and 44, 27% of those between the ages of 45 and 64, and 20% of those between the ages of 65 and 74. These findings suggest that younger users, who are typically more active on social media, are disproportionately exposed to hostile content.

According to 85% of respondents who have witnessed hate speech, political and social beliefs were the most common objects of online animosity. In comparison to 2023, this is an increase of six percentage points. Other prevalent classifications included race or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion or worldview, and disability. With political ideology appearing as the most significant focal point of animosity, these findings highlight the persistence of discriminatory rhetoric across different aspects of identity.

The Destatis survey also shows how common misinformation and fake news are. Approximately 31.2 million people, or 54% of internet users, reported coming across content they deemed to be misleading or untrustworthy at the beginning of 2025. This represents a six percentage point rise from 2023. This pattern emphasizes how disinformation in digital settings is becoming a bigger problem.

In Germany, 58.1 million people utilized the internet in the first quarter of 2025. This equals 95% of those between the ages of 16 and 74.