My research begins in autumn 2024 with a like at Tiktok. A video, including a comment that I mark with a heart. The algorithm of the app does the rest within a very short time. A few days later, the Hate app floods me into my feed. Cookies in a swastika form. Hitler greetings in Instagram stories. Chat invitations of young people who call themselves “the Germans” or “Division Germany”. I scroll, like and dive deeper.
Which quickly strikes: Many who write and post videos are boys in stain stars or with a skull hose scarf. Girls who turn videos on songs of Böhsen Onkelz look like 12, 13 or 14, children are still. And apparently jumping boots and bomber jackets are cool again, as if the nineties had never passed.
I want to know what’s behind and who. I also want to know whether they just want to talk and provoke, teenagers. Your right slogans, the sayings about concentration camp and gas chambers, the transfiguration of Adolf Hitler and violence and “actions”. Or whether they really mean what they say. And if so: how far are you ready to go?
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
