Combating hate speech:
A guide

Hate speech aims to humiliate, insult, ridicule or discriminate against others through language. Hate speech can target individuals or groups of people who belong to a particular ethnic group, gender or political party, or who hold a particular opinion.

Hate speech occurs not only, but especially, on public social networks and in the comments sections of newspapers and magazines, where it reaches a large audience.

Hate speech can be combated. The following tips can help to curb online hate in a wide variety of situations.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Swisscom has been committed to promoting media literacy and protecting children and young people on the internet for many years. We do this through dialogue with schoolchildren, parents and teachers, and through numerous initiatives with partners and organisations.

You can find out more about our commitment to promoting media literacy here:

Swisscom Campus

Insta-Guide Hate Speech(opens in new tab)

Hate speech, i.e. the targeted and systematic hostility towards a person, has been around for a long time. The internet is not the origin of this phenomenon, but it has recently been amplifying its impact. While hate on the internet has many faces, the haters themselves usually have none. They exploit their anonymity on the internet and allow themselves to be carried away by statements that they would probably never make in the real world. They accept that their actions can cause far-reaching damage to those affected in reality.

However, there are also hate speakers who have made it their mission to spread hate online. They boldly reveal their real identities in an attempt to gain respect from other hate speakers. They want to show how courageously they stand up to ‘those at the top’.

It is clear that the ‘haters’ are always in the minority. They are isolated users who, through their aggressive language, sometimes severely distort the perception of reality for those affected, creating the impression that the whole world is against them.

While adults behave ‘like children’ in comment sections or on social networks, the consequences of hate speech are particularly devastating for children and young people. Parents of those affected are often at a loss, regardless of whether their own child is the target or the perpetrator of the comments. In both cases, it is important that parents provide support and guidance.

Why is hate speech particularly problematic in adolescence? From childhood to adolescence, external impressions and influences are central to the development of one's own identity. If young people learn that hateful comments and abusive language are acceptable on the internet, the consequences for their later adult life are worrying.

If you notice that your child is becoming a perpetrator, you should address the issue openly. Asking questions about the actual origin of the comments will help you understand why your child is venting their feelings with hateful comments. Discussing the possible feelings of the victim together will also help to develop the necessary empathy in your child.

Parents often hear their children say, ‘I just went along with it, someone else started it.’ This excuse is not sufficient. Hate speech always needs an audience to be effective. Followers are just as problematic as the authors of the comments themselves. They act as accelerants and can incite further attacks, thus perpetuating the hate speech indefinitely.

Young offenders must also be aware that several articles of the Swiss Criminal Code protect against hate speech. The consequences are severe and, in the event of a conviction, even juveniles will end up with a criminal record.

If you are the target of hate speech, these two strategies can help.

Imagine it's hate and nobody goes there. That's how disempowerment works. At its core, the strategy aims to set clear boundaries for hate on the internet, including with technical tools.

In the case of hate messages from private circles, for example, contact can be specifically blocked or muted. If the comments appear on a social network, the posts can be reported to the platform operators and punished. And you also have to know when enough is enough. It is absolutely okay to break off a discussion. After all, who likes to hate when the comments either don't get through or are constantly deleted? Depending on the platform, perpetrators may also face consequences ranging from a posting ban to having their profile blocked.

If you are affected yourself and have the strength and nerves to stand up to your opponent, you can try to counter their arguments, depending on the topic. In any case, you should make sure that your own posts remain factual, that you do not get caught up in a lengthy trench war, and that you realise when you are no longer getting anywhere with your opponent.

The empowerment strategy takes the approach of joining forces against hate speech. It is often easier to combat hate when working together. If you are affected yourself, it helps to involve your parents, friends, teachers or other trusted individuals as soon as possible. As a group, you can argue against hatred in the form of ‘counter speech’. If you question the malicious comment or specifically name the problematic statement, the author is challenged to reveal their hand. Important for counter speech: stay factual and do not stoop to the level of the hate speaker.

• Hate speech always attacks personal characteristics of a person or group of people, such as appearance, sexual orientation or religious affiliation, rather than a factual issue.
• If you encounter hate speech online, you should show moral courage and try to counter the hatred with good arguments in the form of counter speech.
• Several articles in the Swiss Criminal Code protect against hate speech. Haters can be reported and prosecuted.