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Online extremism researchers spend their days sifting through toxic, hate-speech-ridden content where death threats and harassment campaigns are the norm. And it's starting to take a toll on their mental health. 1/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
Feelings of helplessness and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder are on the rise among those in the field as their hopes for constructive change are dashed time and time again. 2/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
These researchers are up against a lot. The past decade has been an exercise in dystopian comeuppance to the utopian discourse of the '90s and ‘00s. Consider what’s happened: 3/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
Even those who were more realistic about tech—and foresaw its misuse—are stunned by the extent of the problem. 4/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR 
One challenge researchers face: In a connected, searchable world, it’s hard to share information about extremists and their tactics without also sharing their toxic views. Actions intended to stem the spread of false ideologies can make things worse. 5/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
There don’t appear to be many solutions. The spread of disinformation and rise of online extremism stem from a complex mix of many factors. And the most common suggestions seem to underestimate the scope of the problem, researchers said. 6/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
When users don’t think about the ramifications of their actions online, and without a sense of communal impact or personal responsibility, it’s hard to expect a shift towards less toxic behavior. Read more: 7/ wired.trib.al/dYnq1iR
