Facebook was a catalyst for anti-migrant violence in Germany, study concludes

Researchers examined 3,335 attacks on refugees in Germany over two years

Hate crimes increased in areas with greater Facebook use during periods of high online anti-refugee sentiment, University of Warwick study found

Follows Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to open borders to a million migrants

By JULIAN ROBINSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:27 BST, 22 August 2018 | UPDATED: 17:02 BST, 22 August 2018

Facebook fuelled anti-migrant violence in Germany, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Warwick examined more than 3,300 attacks on refugees that took place in the country over a two-year period.

They found that during periods of high online anti-refugee sentiment, areas with greater Facebook usage saw an increase in violence towards migrants.

This turned out to be the case in communities ranging from large cities to small towns regardless of factors such as the area's wealth or general political outlook.

Authors concluded social media can act as a catalyst for violence aimed at migrants.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6086047/Facebook-catalyst-a...