‘Digital Discourse Initiative’ Launched to Counter the Effects of Online Hate in Schools

Children and young people are growing up in a society where social media is no longer just a tool for connection and networking - it is a dominant force shaping their interactions and sense of self. Research has shown that popular social media platforms used by children and young people feature disinformation, hate and extremism which is amplified by algorithms designed to promote emotive and sensationalist content.

This is a current and immediate problem where school pupils are reporting that exposure to hateful content online is normalising prejudice like homophobia, misogyny and racism. With major social media platforms currently removing fact-checking services, it's important that schools and teachers are given the tools to help young people navigate these spaces safely and free from manufactured division and information manipulation.

As part of an ongoing international collaboration with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, we are launching the Digital Discourse Initiative, which is provided free of charge to Scottish schools. This has been developed with experts to equip teachers and school staff with the tools they need to counter the effects of online hate, help pupils identify disinformation, and support the development of critical thinking and digital media literacy skills.

At a time when experts are warning that disinformation is a threat to democracy, education becomes an essential defence."

We want all children to be equal, happy, and healthy. But manosphere influencers target boys with online content that harms their mental health and teaches a hatred of women and girls that contributes to a violent environment in our schools. Teachers need support to tackle the rising tide of extreme misogyny.

We are proud to have contributed Zero Tolerance’s expertise on preventing radicalisation to TIE and ISD’s new training. This programme supports teachers to challenge misogynistic narratives, foster respect amongst peers, and support boys to develop meaningful relationships. This is a vital step towards ending men’s violence against women and making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.”

It’s essential for young people to have access to resources and discourse spaces to understand the power structures behind online hate in order to protect themselves and others. By developing critical digital citizenship skills, young people can better recognise the motives and goals of those spreading harmful content, while also unpacking the dehumanising narratives that often underpin these attacks, which can manifest in violence in the offline world as well.

This understanding not only empowers young people to identify and challenge hate but also serves as a vital preventative measure, building resilience against online extremism and hate. Through the research of ISD and other organisations in the sector, we’ve learned that online hate and disinformation are not only growing in scale but also in complexity. The problem is increasingly targeted, affecting specific groups-especially marginalised communities with harmful and divisive rhetoric.

In this context, it is equally important to understand the risks and vulnerabilities of digital platforms and how they influence the creation of digital public discourse. The Digital Discourse Initiative empowers teachers in Scotland with exactly these tools to guide young people in understanding these complex dynamics, fostering a safer, more inclusive digital world."