Hate Trackers

HTIA Article

‘Hate speech and its impact on both mental and physical health of youth’
Nowadays, the significant increase and spread of hate speech online, particularly through
social media, is evident. Hate speech refers to any kind of communication, verbal, written, or
behavioral that attacks or discriminates against a person or group based on attributes such
as race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and
disability. The precise definition may vary depending on legal jurisdiction and context. In this
article, Natasa Georgiou, Special Counselling Psychologist at “Hope For Children” CRC Policy
Center, shares her insight on the impact of hate speech on mental and physical health of
youth, and how the Hate Trackers Into Action project helps address these issues.
Hate speech is associated with psychological consequences that negatively impact people’s
mental health and well-being in general. Specifically, hate speech contributes to psychological
harm, particularly among marginalized groups, including: anxiety, depression, and lowersselfesteem. In addition, repeated exposure can cause individuals to question their self-worth or
identity. Moreover, long-term exposure is linked to internalized stigma and trauma, especially
in those with prior experiences of discrimination or violence. These effects are often longlasting, and although they may be invisible, they can be deeply harmful. Victims often
experience feelings of anger, loneliness, sadness, disappointment, and fear.
Notably, there are also physical health consequences, including higher rates of chronic pain,
hypertension, immune dysfunction, and other health issues, all of which are linked to chronic
stress from discrimination and verbal abuse. Moreover, people targeted by hate speech may
withdraw from public life, avoiding social spaces, school, or work environments. Last but not
least, hate speech undermines equality, freedom and dignity, all of which are essential for
healthy democratic communities.
Hence, educating young people about the negative consequences of hate speech, is highly
important, aiming to address this gap through the involvement of youth. Through the Hate
Trackers Into Action (HTIA) project, the European expert consortium engages young
passionate activists in the planning and implementation of activities focused on tackling and
eliminating hate speech in a national and local level. The project aims to increase the
knowledge, as well as the awareness of young people through various actions, for instance
trainings, discussions and implementation of activities and awareness-raising events.
The creation of groups of activists in a national and local level in each partner country,
strengthens the project’s impact and makes it easier for young activists to make a difference
in their national contexts. They present innovative approaches to counteract the
phenomenon of hate speech. Moreover, the #HateTrackers online platform serves as an
“online safe space” where these groups can meet, discuss, train new members, and share
their best practices and solutions for countering this issue, also with their peers in the partner
countries.

In addition, #HateTrackers emphasises the storytelling methodology as a tool in empowering
the victims of hate speech. Through video-interviews, live videos on Instagram, podcasts and
articles, #HateTrackers aims to share the experiences of these people presenting them not
just as victims, but as activists who have been able to use their suffering and transform it into
a positive response to hate speech. The dissemination of these experiences creates
empowerment and at the same time presents a constructive way of action that could be
embraced by other victims of hate speech.
In conclusion, it is crucial for both prevention and response, to promote empathy and
understanding in young people. Awareness campaigns help people understand the true harm
caused by words, not just physical acts. The education of the public build communities
resilient and empowers them to stand against hate, support victims, and promote inclusive
values. Also, awareness fuels advocacy for stronger legal protections and institutional
policies. It helps shift social norms so that hate speech becomes unacceptable and intolerable.
Finally, when communities speak out, victims feel less isolated, more validated, and safer in
seeking help.