Virtual bullets: the threat of hate speech

Regional news stories, as well as TV series, highlight an increasingly relevant issue: the phenomenon of hate speech on social networks. Eleonora Benecchi, Professor-Researcher at the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), discussed the topic in an article published by TicinOnline.

To understand a phenomenon, it is first of all important to provide a definition: "Hate speech means attacking or humiliating a person or a group based on identity characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, disability or political affiliation," explained Eleonora Benecchi, Director of the Bachelor in Communication. "The language can be explicit, such as when insults and threats are employed, or more subtle when irony is used in a contemptuous manner. Essentially, it refers to language that incites hatred or violence and undermines the dignity of entire social groups."

Although some categories are particularly affected by hate speech, such as women, the USI professor explained that the attacks are often multifactorial: "A woman can be attacked not only because she is a woman, but also due to her foreign origin, religious minority status, or membership in the LGBTQ+ community. In these instances, the hate adds up and overlaps, resulting in more frequent, violent, and complex attacks. Essentially, the more you differ from the dominant societal norm, the more likely you will become a target in digital spaces."

While certain categories may appear more frequently targeted, it is impossible to identify a hater's typical profile, as they can be anyone: "The data from the JAMES research concerning the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland reveals that nearly half of the young people aged 12 to 19 have engaged in harmful behaviour toward others in private chats at least once in the past two years. These individuals often operate in environments that favour online hate. For instance, offenders frequently remain anonymous or use fake profiles, and strong emotions like anger or frustration often fuel their actions. Additionally, they may belong to online communities that normalise hateful behaviour."

People often wonder what role social media plays in the spread of hate speech; as Eleonora Benecchi explains, while it is true that social media did not create harassment and discrimination, online relationships are characterised by dynamics that favour the presence of hate speech: "Digital dynamics, such as anonymity, invisibility, and speed, make it easier for individuals to express themselves but harder to regulate their actions. Additionally, the inability to see the faces or immediate reactions of those we may harm tends to minimise the consequences of our behavior, which can encourage the spread of hate speech."

Another peculiarity of the web is its reach: an offensive comment posted online can spread and be seen by thousands, amplifying its impact. However, Eleonora Benecchi encourages us not to dwell too much on the differences between the virtual world and the real world. The dynamics in one often mirror those in the other. She notes that "those who suffer online bullying are often also victims in the real world, and vice versa."

These dynamics often have severe consequences, as the Director of the Bachelor's Degree in Communication reminds us: "anxiety, depression, isolation, even suicide. Many people (especially young women) choose to censor themselves, change how they use social media or abandon it altogether. However, this takes away space and voice from those who should have it while amplifying those who make speech that should be blocked or contained."

There are several roles in the spread of hate speech: the first are the haters, those who launch the message of hate. Then, the bigots support the content, reposting it and increasing its spread. Then, the passive tolerants: those who, although they do not share the content, remain silent without opposing the phenomenon. Platforms also have an important role to play, as Eleonora Benecchi explains: "Digital platforms, such as social networks, play a fundamental role in managing content. These platforms have the option to intervene or remain passive regarding the content they host. The choices they make can significantly affect the situation: content that is reported and removed immediately has a vastly different impact compared to content that stays visible for days or even weeks."

A multi-level approach is needed to prevent hate speech, combining "technical tools, individual awareness and communication strategies," commented Eleonora Benecchi. "An important first step is what we call 'digital hygiene': learning to use filters, blocking offensive words, limiting the visibility of certain problematic content or accounts. In addition to this, it is necessary to regularly review the privacy and security settings to maintain a safer digital environment." A second approach consists of selective silence: "Ignoring trolls and fake accounts can be effective, but only if accompanied by concrete actions such as reporting the content, blocking the user and documenting the attack (screenshot, date, description). This also helps if you decide to report the incident formally," commented the USI Professor. Finally, there is the possibility of constructing a counter-discourse, "a practice that does not censor, but unmasks and intelligently defuses hatred. For example, you can highlight the prejudices hidden in messages, adopt an empathetic tone to disarm aggression, ridicule hatred with irony or sarcasm, or transform the message by reframing it constructively." As Eleonora Benecchi emphasises, it is important to adopt these strategies in a complementary way because "none is effective on its own. Still, together, they can help make social spaces safer and more inclusive."

What should be avoided, on the other hand, is the escalation of hatred: "You should avoid responding with hate. Reacting with aggressive language only escalates the conflict and gives legitimacy to the attacker. Even engaging with trolls or fake accounts often leads to falling into their trap, as provoking is what they seek." However, one should not remain completely silent either, ignoring what is happening, as this could make the community believe that it approves of hate messages.

The full interview with Eleonora Benecchi, published on TicinOnline, is available at the following link. (Italian only)