The 'From Gutenberg to Facebook' project is a response to a widespread problem of hate speech in the local community. The media have revealed suicide cases of victims of hate speech which suggests that the victims have suffered from online violence, abuse and bullying and consequently from low self-esteem and quality of life. There is vast research (e.g. TNS 2013 Child Online Security) that suggests that 30-50 per cent of children and youth have been exposed to online violence and the percentage has grown steadily.
The goal of the project was to reduce hate speech on religious, ethic, sexual preference, social grounds among secondary school students and to demonstrate the long-term outcomes to the beneficiaries.
In the project, 45 young people developed blog that discuss hate speech cases in a number of dimensions such as hip hop music, dialogue with ethnic minorities and developed a campaign targeting their peers. Training workshops were delivered about WordPress, social media, blogging,copyright, and consumer rights. Project participants planned a social campaign that reached some 8,000individuals. The campaign produced 3 spots, 3 virals and designed and delivered workshops in 17 schools and at the project office. A photo contest and exhibition were held, 1 flash mob, a website and 1 YouTube channel were developed.
Project beneficiaries included secondary school students in Łódź, Piotrków and Tomaszów Mazowiecki.