Nowadays, the significant increase and spread of hate speech online, particularly through social media, is evident. Hate speech refers to any kind of communication, verbal, written, or behavioral that attacks or discriminates against a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The precise definition may vary depending on legal jurisdiction and context. In this article, Natasa Georgiou, Special Counselling Psychologist at “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center, shares her insight on the impact of hate speech on mental and physical health of youth, and how the Hate Trackers Into Action project helps address these issues.
Psychological Harm: Hate Speech and Mental Health
Hate speech is associated with psychological consequences that negatively impact people’s mental health and well-being in general. Specifically, hate speech contributes to psychological harm, particularly among marginalized groups, including: anxiety, depression, and lowers self-esteem. In addition, repeated exposure can cause individuals to question their self-worth or identity. Moreover, long-term exposure is linked to internalized stigma and trauma, especially in those with prior experiences of discrimination or violence. These effects are often long-lasting, and although they may be invisible, they can be deeply harmful. Victims often experience feelings of anger, loneliness, sadness, disappointment, and fear.
The Physical Toll of Hate Speech
Notably, there are also physical health consequences, including higher rates of chronic pain, hypertension, immune dysfunction, and other health issues, all of which are linked to chronic stress from discrimination and verbal abuse. Moreover, people targeted by hate speech may withdraw from public life, avoiding social spaces, school, or work environments. Last but not least, hate speech undermines equality, freedom and dignity, all of which are essential for healthy democratic communities.
Educating Youth and Involving Them in Action
Hence, educating young people about the negative consequences of hate speech, is highly important, aiming to address this gap through the involvement of youth. Through the Hate Trackers Into Action (HTIA) project, the European expert consortium engages young passionate activists in the planning and implementation of activities focused on tackling and eliminating hate speech in a national and local level. The project aims to increase the knowledge, as well as the awareness of young people through various actions, for instance trainings, discussions and implementation of activities and awareness-raising events.
Youth Activism and the #HateTrackers Platform
The creation of groups of activists in a national and local level in each partner country, strengthens the project’s impact and makes it easier for young activists to make a difference in their national contexts. They present innovative approaches to counteract the phenomenon of hate speech. Moreover, the #HateTrackers online platform serves as an “online safe space” where these groups can meet, discuss, train new members, and share their best practices and solutions for countering this issue, also with their peers in the partner countries.
Storytelling as Empowerment
In addition, #HateTrackers emphasises the storytelling methodology as a tool in empowering the victims of hate speech. Through video-interviews, live videos on Instagram, podcasts and articles, #HateTrackers aims to share the experiences of these people presenting them not just as victims, but as activists who have been able to use their suffering and transform it into a positive response to hate speech. The dissemination of these experiences creates empowerment and at the same time presents a constructive way of action that could be embraced by other victims of hate speech.
Promoting Empathy, Advocacy and Systemic Change
In conclusion, it is crucial for both prevention and response, to promote empathy and understanding in young people. Awareness campaigns help people understand the true harm caused by words, not just physical acts. The education of the public build communities resilient and empowers them to stand against hate, support victims, and promote inclusive values. Also, awareness fuels advocacy for stronger legal protections and institutional policies. It helps shift social norms so that hate speech becomes unacceptable and intolerable. Finally, when communities speak out, victims feel less isolated, more validated, and safer in seeking help.
