Many election candidates experienced negative online behaviour, survey shows

By Cate McCurry, PA

Almost 60 per cent of general election candidates and nearly half of local election candidates surveyed experienced negative online behaviour during the recent general and local elections, research has revealed.

Many candidates said they were exposed to offensive, abusive or hateful behaviour, violent or intimidating communications, or impersonation online.

The most common trigger for these experiences was immigration (64%), followed by women’s issues (46 per cent), housing (33 per cent), and LGBT+ issues (33 per cent).

Among local election candidates who had negative online experiences, 71 per cent perceived this trigger related to immigration, followed by LGBT+ issues (31 per cent), women’s issues (24 per cent), housing (23 per cent) and environmental stances (20 per cent).

The findings are contained in a research report published on Tuesday by Coimisiún na Meán.

The report examines the online experiences of candidates who participated in the 2024 local and general elections in Ireland.

The report is based on surveys with candidates from both elections.

John Evans, digital services commissioner, said: “A key priority for Coimisiún na Meán is that our media landscape supports democratic processes and electoral integrity, ensuring that all participants can engage safely in political life.

“We recognise the serious issues highlighted in this research regarding the extent of online toxicity and its potential to undermine democratic participation.”

Under Ireland’s Online Safety Framework, Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for addressing and mitigating harms identified through the research.

An Coimisiún said it engages with online platforms and sets out “clear expectations” that companies fulfil their legal responsibilities.

It added that non-compliance is a serious matter which can lead to sanctions including significant financial penalties.

Coimisiún na Meán said it will be raising the issues identified with the EU Commission and with EU counterpart regulators.

Media development commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said “A healthy democracy and a healthy media landscape go hand in hand, and at Coimisiún na Meán we continue to play our part in this process.

“This includes the development and rollout of a new plurality policy for the media in Ireland, investment of up to €10 million annually on various journalism schemes, including a local democracy scheme, and various sectoral development initiatives designed to safeguard the industry into the future.”

Some 95 per cent of political candidates across both the local and general election candidates surveyed reported they utilised social media during their 2024 campaigns.

Facebook was the most utilised social media platform with 92% of candidates surveyed utilising this platform, followed by Instagram (80 per cent) and X (57 per cent).

The research revealed high rates of negative online experiences among political candidates who used social media, with 48% of local election candidates and 59% of general election candidates experiencing offensive, abusive or hateful behaviour, violent or intimidating communications, or impersonation online.

General election candidates who had negative online experiences perceived the most common trigger for this experience was immigration (64 per cent), followed by women’s issues (46 per cent), housing (33 per cent), and LGBT+ issues (33 per cent).

When local election candidates were asked about whether the negative experiences online had a significant impact on their psychological wellbeing and campaign strategies, 62 per cent reported feeling anxious or afraid and 32 per cent worried about their own safety.

General election candidates had a similar response with 67 per cent reporting feeling anxious or afraid and 38 per cent worried about their own safety. Women reported significantly higher rates of anxiety in both elections.

More than 40% of local election candidate respondents and 31 per cent of general election candidates who experienced relevant online behaviours indicated that they, or someone on their behalf, had made a report to at least one platform.

Reasons for not reporting such behaviours included scepticism that platforms would take meaningful action, time constraints during a busy campaign, desensitisation to online hostility and a desire to maintain a positive mindset.

Coimisiún na Meán said it is continuing to collaborate with stakeholders, including political parties, representative bodies, civic society, An Garda Síochána and other state agencies.