Deplatforming the Far-Right Could Accelerate an Extremist Underground

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. I agree with most replies so far - driving it underground cuts it off from most potential fuel

The author does seem to concede this at the end:

There is little doubt as to deplatforming’s efficacy in reducing potential harms to the general public posed by bad actors. But the action isn’t a one step solution to the broader drivers of extremism online, and ultimately treats symptoms of radicalization rather than its causes.

Yeah, but its causes are American society (and, in other countries, their society) when the extremists were growing up. We just can't change these people's basic fundamental bigotry or hatred. They picked it up before they were 20. No, deplatforming isn't a "one step solution", but it helps a lot. And I don't think it "accelerates" extremism; it's just that a long term change in attitudes of a lot of people is needed too.