Today, young people face a significant risk of encountering online hate speech, which can lead to various forms of harm. Research from the SELMA program sheds light on how teenagers perceive this issue.
Online hate speech can have both direct and indirect psychological effects on individuals. Victims may experience low self-esteem, sleep disorders, increased anxiety, and feelings of fear and insecurity. They might also feel lonely and isolated, leading to chronic depression and reduced social engagement. Victims often become more vulnerable, with their sensitivities targeted by haters, making them reserved and less social.
Victims may even feel that their human dignity has been violated, no longer seeing themselves as fitting societal norms. This can lead to a fear of expressing oneself and social anxiety. In severe cases, behavioral harm like self-harm or suicidal thoughts may occur.
Beyond individual harm, online hate speech has broader societal consequences. It can normalize discrimination, intolerance, and hateful attitudes. Some young people even noted that it could threaten freedom of expression, as those targeted by hate speech may stop voicing their beliefs.
The laissez-faire attitude of some young people, perceiving hateful comments as jokes or minimizing their impact, raises concerns. Such attitudes can lead to a culture of indifference and a loss of respect in online interactions. Furthermore, online hate speech can contribute to polarization and hostility, potentially dividing people and eroding social cohesion.
In summary, online hate speech not only affects individual wellbeing but also has wider societal repercussions, impacting freedom of expression and fostering a climate of fear and polarization.
Source: Hacking Hate
