I think a big part of the backlash is because of 4chan culture going mainstream. 4chan's idea of finding weaknesses in society and attacking them "for the lulz"

I think a big part of the backlash is because of 4chan culture going mainstream. 4chan's idea of finding weaknesses in society and attacking them "for the lulz" has been adopted by right wing youth culture. The culture war has lost all morals. I've asked friends that knowingly disseminate false information why they do it and they see themselves as part of an all out political war where anything goes. I don't see how democracy can function in such an environment where nobody knows what is real or fake.