According to the research conducted by the Polis Association, hate speech has become the main form of human rights violation on the Internet. The “Minority report” (2012) shows that 36 per cent of opinions posted on the Internet that refer to the minorities contained negative emotions. The research conducted by the Nobody’s Children Foundation – EU NET ADB (2012) - indicates that 40 per cent of young people aged 14-17 met with hate speech on the Internet in forum discussions and in comments. The research also shows that people who experience hate speech are more vulnerable to depression and anxiety disorders.
The aim of the project was to get children and young people involved in activities that are designed to actively counteract hate speech on the Internet. A campaign was organized on how to identify and counteract hate speech. Thanks to various techniques and media, such as a music video, radio and tv spots and promotional materials to be used online, the campaign theme was broadly visible in the public discourse in Poland. A group of the youngest users of the Internet in Poland, i.e. children aged 6-12, took part in activities that address hate speech. The initiative Sieciaki (young web users) is constantly being developed and updated. Lessons scenarios and e-learning course on counteracting hate speech were prepared during the project implementation. A social campaign and competitions were organized, materials related to the project theme were prepared. Promotional activities were carried out during two biggest music festivals in Poland, attended mostly by young people. A report on the research on hate speech among young people was prepared.
Thanks to the Internet tools, children and young people from all over Poland benefited from the project activities.
Icelandic Safer Internet Centre from Iceland - the project partner - cooperated in running the social campaign and in creating educational materials on hate speech. The local partners – Association for Children and Youth CHANCE from Głogów, Aid Association “Spark” from Wrocław, regional Committee for Protection of Children’s Rights in Poznań and Czajnia Association from Tomaszów Lubelski – were responsible for recruiting project participants and for promoting the activities.