Official website links end with .gov.sg
Online Hate
Text Size:
What is Online Hate?
Online hate includes hate speech, posts, or behaviours that attack a person or a group of people based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, nationality, disability, or gender.
When harmful behaviour targets a specific person without focusing on these protected characteristics, it may be considered bullying or harassment instead.
Examples of what online hate can look like include:
- Using hateful slurs linked to a person’s race.
- Posting abusive attacks against a religious group.
- Making jokes belittling a person with a disability.
- Using emojis or coded language to spread hate towards a particular gender.
How Can Online Hate Affect Me?
With people always connected to their phones, online hate can spread quickly. This is because:
- Anonymity reduces accountability – Hiding behind usernames makes it easier for people to say hurtful things.
- Social media algorithms recognise strong reactions – “Rage-bait” posts with many likes, shares and comments end up reaching more people.
- Repeated exposure normalises harm – Hateful content, especially when disguised as jokes, starts to feel normal and acceptable.
Online hate can affect the way you think and feel about others. Constant exposure to hateful content can shape your beliefs. For example, exposure to online hate targeting a particular religion may normalise disrespectful stereotypes or push you towards adopting similar hateful views.
What Should I Do When I Spot Online Hate?
Set Boundaries Online
- Adjust safety controls on apps to reduce your exposure to hate content.
- Use features such as “Not interested” or mute options so you see less of such content.
Think Before You Act
- Avoid liking, sharing, or commenting on posts that contain hate.
- Pause to evaluate what you are seeing and avoid believing in stereotypes or generalisations about individuals or groups.
Report Inappropriate Content
- Report posts or accounts that contain hate speech or harmful behaviour.
- Block accounts that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Engage A Trusted Person and Seek Support
- Talk to a trusted adult, older sibling, teacher, or school counsellor for advice and support.
- Discuss issues and opinions you encounter online with family and friends to avoid forming biased views based on online content.
What Should I Do?
My friend keeps sharing racist memes and jokes on her social media. What can I do?
Hateful content can sometimes be disguised as “just for fun.” If this makes you uncomfortable, here are some things you can consider:
- Talk to your friend: If you feel safe, let your friend know how her posts can hurt others and why they are not okay, even if they were meant as jokes.
- Report the posts anonymously: Use the platform’s reporting tools to flag the content. If it violates community guidelines, the platform may remove it.
- Reach out: Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or school counsellor, who can help you decide what to do or step in to talk to her if needed.
An influencer I follow has started making belittling comments about people with disabilities. I feel uncomfortable seeing it. What are my options?
Seeing hateful content online can affect your well-being. Here are some steps you can take:
- Do not engage or share it further: Some posts are designed to provoke reactions or bait others into engaging, which can help them spread further.
- Report the posts anonymously: Use the platform’s reporting tools to flag the content. If it violates community guidelines, the platform may remove it.
- Unfollow or mute the influencer: What you see online can shape how you think and feel. If someone you follow starts posting hateful content, it’s okay to protect your peace by unfollowing or muting them.
I saw a forum thread with degrading comments about women. I am afraid these could lead to real-world harm. Is there anything I can do?
Anonymity on online platforms, such as forums, can make it easier for hateful communities to spread harmful ideas. In some cases, this can escalate into threats or even violence. If you encounter a thread like this, you can:
- Report the thread immediately: Use the platform’s reporting tools to flag the content. If it violates community guidelines, the platform may remove it.
- Do not engage or share it further: Even if your intention is to raise awareness, engaging with or resharing such content can amplify harm and cause distress to yourself and others.
- Reach out: Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or school counsellor, to process what you saw and how it made you feel.
Want more tips and tools to build healthier digital habits? Come along and Scroll Smart, Surf Safe with us.