From hate speech to HateLess. The effectiveness of a prevention program on adolescents’ online hate speech involvement

Abstract

Hate speech, a societal scourge, has found a potent conduit in modern technology, exacerbating its reach and impact. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the pernicious effects of online hate speech, which threaten their well-being and social cohesion. Addressing this critical issue, the current study uses a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the efficacy of “HateLess. Together Against Hatred” in reducing adolescents' online hate speech perpetration and victimization and increasing their online hate speech countering. A sample of 820 adolescents aged 12 to 16 (M = 13.27, SD = 1.04) from 11 German schools was divided into an intervention group (n = 567), who underwent the one-week anti-hate speech program, and a control group (n = 253). Utilizing multilevel mediation analysis, the study revealed that program participation significantly reduced online hate speech perpetration and victimization while enhancing countering hate speech. Notably, the intervention's success was partially mediated by increased empathy, which, in turn, predicted a decrease in hate speech perpetration and an increase in counter-speech, and by increased self-efficacy, which, in turn, was linked to reduced victimization and heightened countering hate speech. These promising outcomes suggest that HateLess could be a viable strategy for mitigating hate speech engagement and fostering a more respectful online discourse among adolescents.