When I browse the internet, I often come across a lot of negativity. This negativity usually revolves around different social issues and is especially noticeable on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. It seems like there’s always a negative comment lurking somewhere, and you don’t have to search hard to find it.
Harmful speech is anything that threatens or is intended to hurt someone. It includes words or actions that attack a person’s identity or beliefs. This kind of speech can marginalize or harm entire communities, whether based on religion, race, or other identities, and it’s more than just being offensive.
I’ve definitely seen harmful speech online, especially on social media. It’s common in the comments on YouTube videos or tweets. Twitter, in particular, has a lot of negativity because it’s so open. YouTube also has many negative comments. On platforms like Instagram and YouTube, harmful speech often appears disguised as jokes or memes. Some people might say things online that they wouldn’t dare say in person, probably because they fear being held accountable.
To me, if something is derogatory, it’s meant to be harmful, not funny. I’ve seen friends create private accounts to share negative content, and I’ve come across accounts that are deeply hurtful. This made me question my place in environments like school, which should be safe spaces, especially when students from the same school post content that dehumanizes others.
People often express negativity online because it’s easier to hide behind a screen. It’s like having a barrier that lets them say whatever they want without facing consequences. Some might use harmful speech to provoke reactions or gain attention. Often, those who post such content seem to be dealing with their own issues, possibly from past experiences.
I’ve never seen someone who shares harmful content as genuinely friendly. It often targets specific groups. Social media is so vast that it’s easy to spread messages widely. When I see something negative on my timeline, I try to report it because I know others might not react the same way I do.
When someone speaks negatively about you, it can be really hurtful. I feel a responsibility to uplift others rather than bring them down. When I see negative posts online, I think about what I can do to address them, but sometimes it feels overwhelming, and I end up ignoring them. This can be damaging to those on the receiving end, often without the poster realizing the impact.
I believe in reporting harmful content when I see it. When we encounter such posts, we often feel the need to speak out. However, by engaging with those who spread negativity, we might accidentally give them the attention they want. I think if you don’t have anything positive to say, it’s better to stay silent. While people have the right to express their opinions, it shouldn’t come at the expense of others’ well-being.
Imagine you’re on a social media platform and encounter a negative comment. In pairs, role-play how you would respond to this situation. Discuss the impact of different responses and how they can either escalate or de-escalate negativity online.
Work in small groups to design a campaign that promotes positivity online. Create posters or short videos that encourage others to spread kindness and report harmful content. Share your campaign with the class and discuss its potential impact.
Choose a popular YouTube video or social media post and analyze the comments section. Identify examples of harmful speech and discuss how they could be addressed. Reflect on how these comments might affect the person who posted the content.
Write a journal entry about a time you encountered negativity online. Reflect on how it made you feel and what actions you took or could have taken. Share your reflections with a partner and discuss strategies for handling similar situations in the future.
As a class, brainstorm and create a code of conduct for responsible online behavior. Discuss the importance of each rule and how it can help create a safer online environment. Display the code in the classroom as a reminder of your commitment to positive online interactions.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing explicit references to hate speech while maintaining the overall message:
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When I go online, I see negativity everywhere. Usually, it’s related to various social issues. I’ve encountered this across social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, especially in comment sections. It seems like there’s always a negative comment present. You don’t have to look far to find it; it’s pervasive.
I define harmful speech as anything that threatens or is meant to hurt someone else. It includes any words or actions that attack a person’s identity or beliefs. The definition of harmful speech has become quite broad. When someone’s words marginalize or hurt an entire community—whether based on religion, race, or other identities—that goes beyond just being offensive.
I’ve definitely encountered harmful speech online, particularly on social media. I see it in comments on YouTube videos or tweets. Twitter, in particular, has a significant amount of negativity due to its open nature. YouTube also has many derogatory comments. I’ve noticed this mostly on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, often disguised as jokes or memes. Some individuals might express these views online but wouldn’t say them in person, likely due to fear of accountability.
I don’t see it as a joke. If it’s derogatory, it’s meant to be harmful. Some friends from middle school created a private account to share negative content, and I’ve seen targeted accounts that are deeply hurtful. It made me question my place in my school, which is supposed to be a safe space, especially when students in the same environment post content that dehumanizes others.
People often express negativity online because it’s easier to hide behind a screen. It’s like having a barrier that allows them to say whatever they want without facing consequences. Some may use harmful speech to provoke reactions or gain attention. Those who post such content often seem to be dealing with their own issues, perhaps stemming from their past experiences.
I’ve never seen someone who shares harmful content as a genuinely friendly person. It often seems aimed at targeting specific groups. Social media is such a vast platform that it’s easy to spread messages widely. When I see something negative on my timeline, I make an effort to report it because I know others may not react the same way I do.
When someone speaks negatively about you, it can be hurtful. I feel a sense of responsibility to uplift others rather than bring them down. When I see negative posts online, I try to think about what I can do to address it, but sometimes it feels overwhelming, and I end up ignoring it. It can be really damaging to those on the receiving end, often without the poster realizing the impact.
I believe in reporting harmful content when I see it. When we encounter such posts in our feeds, we often feel compelled to speak out. However, by engaging with those who spread negativity, we may inadvertently give them the attention they seek. I think if you don’t have anything positive to say, it’s better to remain silent. While people have the right to express their opinions, it shouldn’t come at the expense of others’ well-being.
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This version maintains the essence of the original message while removing specific references to hate speech.
Negativity – The expression of criticism or pessimism about something. – In social studies, negativity can affect how communities perceive changes in their environment.
Speech – The expression of thoughts and feelings by spoken words. – In psychology, a person’s speech can reveal a lot about their emotional state.
Harmful – Causing or likely to cause damage or injury. – Certain types of media can be harmful if they promote negative stereotypes.
Social – Relating to society or its organization. – Social interactions are important for developing communication skills in young people.
Media – The main means of mass communication, such as television, radio, and newspapers. – Media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and cultural norms.
Online – Controlled by or connected to a computer or the internet. – Many students use online resources to help with their social studies homework.
Responsible – Having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one’s job or role. – It is important to be responsible when sharing information on social media.
Content – The information or topics that are contained in something, such as a book or a website. – Teachers often review the content of educational websites to ensure they are appropriate for students.
Communities – Groups of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – Communities often come together to solve local issues and support each other.
Impact – The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another. – The impact of social media on teenagers’ mental health is a topic of ongoing research in psychology.
