Based on research conducted with children and young people aged 13 to 17, Childnet International has designed a tool for educators, moderators and facilitators of high school students. This tool should provide support and enable conversations that are primarily empathetic, honest and evidence-based related to hate speech. How better to prepare for work with high school students, than by using their opinions and attitudes? This was the goal of the tool, which was designed on the basis of previously completed study involving 2,000 children/young people from Britain.
Some of their answers clearly told us that: over the past year, 80% of young people have seen some form of expressed hatred in an online space directed towards a particular group; most young people responded that the internet is a space where they witness hate speech; nine out of ten young people answered that no one should be targeted online for hate speech due to gender, religious affiliation, disability or sexuality.
This tool is intended for educators and professionals who work with young people aged 13 to 17, and includes slide presentations and infographics. The importance of using this tool is reflected in the fact that every nine out of ten young people felt that they and their peers play an important role in preventing online hate speech and creating a pleasant internet space.
In addition to the Talk it Over tool, the SELMA Hacking Hate Toolkit is a great resource, as are those developed by the SWGfL partner of the UK Safer Internet Center.
These resources have more than 100 easily accessible materials for teachers and other professionals, and numerous activities that can be carried out in shorter sessions with students. In addition to resources, you can also find a guide to building a path to comprehensive and sustainable change.
- Guidance for Educators
- Research findings
- Part 1: Understanding online hate
- Part 2: Examing the impact
- Part 3: Responding and reporting
- Part 4: Embracing difference
Download the full toolkit at the Talk it Over link.