In today’s onlife world, hate speech has become all too common. While the internet has opened up new avenues for communication and expression, it has also provided a platform for hate groups (like neo-Nazis or Incels) and individuals (like Andrew Tate) to spread their toxic ideologies and attack others both online and offline. Anecdotally, we here at the White Hatter have seen a significant increase in hate groups not only using social media and gaming sites to spread their message of hate, but also as a tool to recruit teens into their ranks to help them spread their hateful messages. Unfortunately, here in Canada, and elsewhere around the world, we are seeing teens as young as middle school adopting these hate ideologies (1)
We actually asked hundreds of teens who follow us on our social media platforms, “have you seen racist or hate-based speech in your social media feeds” – 66% stated yes. Stats Canada reported that they have seen a 37% increase in the number of hate crimes reported to police departments across Canada (2). In a study released by MediaSmarts Canada, in December 2022 they found that 47% of teens see racist or sexist content online at least once a week. (3)
To identify and combat online hate, we need to define what it is; we here at the White Hatter use the following definition:
Online hate has been conceptualized as actions that “demean or degrade a group and its members based on their race/ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, religion, or disability status” (3)
Online hate can take many forms which can be based on religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and can include toxic masculinity, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia. The consequences of being targeted with this form of online toxicity can be severe, ranging from emotional distress to physical harm. A by-product of hate can also be radicalization – when a teen now believes that violence is justified to support their beliefs.
Hate can also lead to “casual prejudice”. What is casual prejudice, here’s a great definition from MediaSmarts Canada:
“When people say or do things that are negative towards a particular group, but are not aimed at a specific person. For example, someone uses a racist term in a comment, or share a meme of a person with a disability to make a joke”
We believe that teens can play a crucial role in fighting online hate. However, to do this they need to understand what online hate is, and how hate groups and individuals are leveraging social media to spread their message of hate. Here are 10 steps teens can take to help combat this clear and present online threat:
Speak up: Be the upstander – if a teen sees someone being targeted for online hate, encourage them to speak up and offer their support. Let the person know that they are not alone and that they do not deserve to be treated that way. By doing so, a teen can help prevent the spread of hate and create a more inclusive online community. Promote respect for diversity as a social norm.
Report hate speech: Most social media platforms have policies against hate speech and harassment. If a teen comes across a post or comment that violates these policies, report it to the platform immediately. By doing so, a teen can help get the content removed and hold the person accountable for their actions.
Educate themselves and others: Take the time to learn about different cultures and perspectives. By doing so, a teen can gain a better understanding of the experiences of others and become more empathetic. Encourage teens to share what they have learned with others.
Be mindful of your own actions: Teens need to be careful about what they post and share online- be aware of “casual prejudice”. Avoid posting or sharing content that is hurtful or offensive. Think before you comment or react to someone else’s post.
Support organizations fighting hate: There are many organizations that work to combat hate speech and online harassment. Consider supporting them through donations or volunteering your time.
Stand up to friends: Once again become the upstander – it can be challenging to stand up to friends who may be engaging in or supporting online hate speech or harassment. However, it’s essential to let them know that their behavior is not acceptable and can cause harm. Teens can help educate others on why their behavior is problematic and encourage them to make a change.
Practice empathy, digital mindfulness, and kindness: It’s easy to forget that there are real people behind the screens, and our words can have a significant impact. Take a moment to consider how your comments might affect others and try to be respectful and compassionate to others even if they are not.
Take care of yourself: Seeing or experiencing online hate can be distressing and take a toll on one’s mental health. Take breaks from social media or the internet when needed. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional if you need support. Our free White Hatter App has a number of resources you can connect with to help (5)
Use your platform for good: If a teen has a social media presence, encourage them to use their platform to spread positive messages and raise awareness about the harms of online hate. Share resources, news articles, or personal stories that highlight the importance of respect and acceptance for all individuals.
Engage in offline advocacy: While the internet can be a powerful tool for activism, it’s also essential to engage in offline advocacy. Attend rallies, volunteer with organizations working to combat hate, or write to your elected representatives to express your concerns about online hate and its impact on society.
Parents, caregivers, and educators can also play a significant role as well:
- Encourage empathy in youth and remind them that there is a real person on the other side of the screen when they engage with others online.
- Watch for derogatory terms that may become a part of a youth’s vocabulary both online and offline
- Create an atmosphere of tolerance and inclusion in schools to prevent and isolate incidents of hate speech.
- Implement digital literacy programs to promote upstanding behavior and discourage bystander mentality. Promote critical thinking and media literacy by teaching their children how to evaluate sources and question false or misleading information.
- Lead by example and ensure that your own language does not contribute to the problem. Youth will model our behaviour.
- Provide youth with the tools they need to respond to hate speech when they encounter it. Encourage your child to be upstanders, not bystanders, and to report instances of hate speech to a trusted adult or online platform.
- Promote a greater understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusivity, and
- Work together to promote empathy, understanding, and respect.
By taking action and advocating for change, teens can make a difference in the fight against online hate. Remember, small acts of kindness and empathy can go a long way in creating a more inclusive and accepting online community. Online hate is not just a problem for those who are targeted – it’s a problem for everyone. This is one reason why the Government of Canada has recently budgeted $85 million dollars to support the launch of a new anti-racism strategy and national action plan to combat hate (6) By taking a stand against online hate, we can help create a safer, more inclusive online community. Remember, everyone has a role to play in fighting online hate, and together we can make a difference.
A great educational resource on this topic for teens, parents, and educators comes from MediaSmarts Canada, head over to their website and have a look! (7)
References:
- https://thecjn.ca/news/heil-hitler-salutes-swastikas-and-holocaust-covid-incidents-reported-at-two-toronto-public-schools/
- https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220317/dq220317a-eng.htm
- https://mediasmarts.ca/press-centre/press-releases/almost-half-canadian-youth-say-they-see-racist-or-sexist-content-online-often
- Reichelmann, A., Hawdon, J., Costello, M., Ryan, J., Blaya, C., Llorent, V., Oksanen, A., Räsänen, P., & Zych, I. (2020).
- https://thewhitehatter.ca/app/
- https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2022/06/government-of-canada-and-the-canadian-anti-hate-network-launch-anti-hate-toolkit-for-canadian-schools.html
- https://mediasmarts.ca/search/hate
