How digital misogyny thrives—and why social media fuels the hate

A new discussion will explore how digital spaces fuel hatred against women, trans, and nonbinary people. Author Veronika Kracher's latest book, Bitch Hunt, examines why social media amplifies misogyny so effectively. The main event will also highlight how right-wing actors weaponise outrage to attack feminism and progressive values.

Kracher, a journalist known for her work on online extremism, previously wrote Incels: History, Language, and Ideology of an Online Cult. Her new book analyses how digital misogyny operates within capitalist structures and authoritarian backlash. Campaigns like Gamergate and the public targeting of Amber Heard show how organised hatred has become normalised online.

Social media platforms reward attention, and outrage drives engagement. This economic model turns hate into a tool for influence, particularly against marginalised groups. The main event will argue that digital misogyny is not a fringe issue but a central feature of modern culture wars.

Nina Apin, an editor in the culture department and a long-time contributor since 2005, will moderate the event. The conversation aims to unpack how online spaces have become battlegrounds for reactionary movements.

The main event will connect Kracher's research to broader patterns of digital harassment. It will also address how platforms profit from escalating hostility. Organisers emphasise that understanding these dynamics is key to challenging systemic misogyny online.