Can One Hateful Post Ruin a Life?

A hateful message can be written in just a few seconds. But what happens after it is published?

On social media, words can travel quickly and reach people far beyond their original audience. A message targeting someone because of their ethnic, cultural or social background can affect the way that person is perceived by others and can influence their relationships within a group.

But does one hateful post really have the power to change someone's life?

To explore this question, you will investigate how young people interact with one another, how social relationships are shaped by stereotypes and discrimination, and how experiences of exclusion can affect individuals and groups.

You will also consider what happens when these relationships move between the school environment and social media. A message posted online does not necessarily stay online: it can influence relationships between young people in their everyday lives.

This challenge is based on the research of Liliia Korol, a social sciences researcher working on interethnic relations among young people and in school settings. Her research examines, in particular, experiences of ethnicity-based exclusion and discrimination among young people.

This challenge is designed for European/English-language classes.

Your mission

Take part in this challenge by investigating how a hateful message can affect relationships between people and within groups.

You will be invited to:

• analyse situations involving discrimination, stereotypes and hateful messages;

• explore how young people perceive and react to exclusion;

• examine how a message can spread through a social group or social network;

• investigate the possible consequences for the person targeted;

• discuss the role of those who witness, share, support or challenge hateful content.

Why does it matter?

Hate and discrimination are not only individual behaviours: they are also social phenomena.

The way we perceive other people is influenced by the groups we belong to, our relationships with others and the social norms around us. Among young people, experiences of discrimination and exclusion can affect social relationships, school life and feelings of belonging. Research in social sciences examines these experiences both within educational settings and online.

Your turn

It's time to investigate what happens after a hateful post is published.

Discover the researcher's approach to this question in the video: Upcoming

Discover the educational resources proposed for this challenge

Upcoming