Empower your child!

The last instalment of this mini-series on hate speech in online media dealt with what falls under this term and what consequences it can have for young people who spread such statements on the internet. This time, the focus is on how parents can protect their children.

The best way to protect young people from hate speech is to empower them to deal with the issue independently and confidently. To this end, parents should address the issues of hate speech, bullying and racism at an early age.
As soon as a child gets a mobile phone, they need to learn certain basics:
What is private and doesn't belong on a social media platform?
What settings do I need to make on my mobile phone and on social media platforms?

Ich sollte zuerst überlegen, was ich teile, erst dann auf den Knopf drücken.
Wie sperre ich Hate Speaker auf meiner Timeline?
Grundsätzlich pflege ich einen respektvollen Umgangston.
Ich reagiere auf negative Kommentare erst mal nicht.

Don't do any training with your children, but talk about the individual topics when it seems appropriate. If you set up the new mobile phone together, you should also look at the security settings together. Or pick up the thread when your child tells you about an aggressive comment.
If your child is the target of hate comments, you should take decisive action. Of course, as parents, you first need to know that something is up. Therefore, address this issue early on and encourage the child to report such incidents to you. An open and trusting relationship is important.

Get active, stay in dialogue

In the event of an incident, it is best to secure the evidence with screenshots. Reassure your child that you have their back at all costs. Show this by taking action - but always in close consultation with your child. Nothing is more embarrassing than a parent making a mountain out of a molehill.
A direct confrontation can be helpful if you know the perpetrators. Do not threaten! Discuss the comment, ask questions and point out what it can do. If necessary, you should also involve the parents of the hate speaker. If you do not know the perpetrators, involve the school or social services. In the case of recurring incidents, report them to the police.
The most important thing in such moments is for your child to feel that you have their back unconditionally. This is because there is a risk that the children concerned will also blame themselves in the case of discriminatory hate speech. This must not happen.

On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life. swisscom.ch/medienstark