Case Study
How CRESST Helped OFSMS Understand the Impact of Hate Speech
While cyber-bullying had gained attention, the impact of social media hate speech on the mental health and academic development of youth remained under explored.
80
of teens encountered online hate speech
48
posts removed by Facebook yearly
41
of teens experienced online harassment
The Client
The Organization for Social Media Safety is the first consumer protection organization exclusively focused on social media-related dangers.
Website
Services
In 2018, Common Sense Media revealed a disturbing statistic — 64% of teen social media users frequently encountered hateful content online. The issue persisted, with over 80% of 5th to 12th-grade students reporting exposure to hate speech on social media, according to informal surveys by the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS) until 2022.
The SMASH Project
The Social Media and the Spread of Hate (SMASH) project emerged as a collaborative initiative between CRESST and the Organization for Social Media Safety. Positioned within the larger Initiative to Study Hate at UCLA, SMASH sought to delve into the nuances of youths’ exposure to and perceptions of hate speech on social media.
- Examine data collected during OFSMS middle and high school assemblies nationwide to understand social media app usage and hate speech exposure.
- Engage with students in focus groups to capture their perspectives on hate speech, exploring their definitions and perceptions.
- Conduct an in-depth review of existing research and related resources to build upon the current knowledge base.
Research Questions
The study aimed to answer several crucial questions.
- How do youths define hate speech, and how do these definitions align or differ from existing literature?
- To what degree are youths exposed to hate speech through social media?
- What kinds of hate speech are most commonly experienced by youth?
- How does exposure to hate speech vary based on school type, student demographics, platform, and overall social media use?
- Does exposure to hate speech on social media differ quantitatively and qualitatively from other settings, such as face-to-face occurrences?
Impact
SMASH aims to establish a foundation for future studies examining the impact of social media hate speech on the mental health and academic trajectories of youth. Additionally, the research may serve as a cornerstone for the creation of educational resources by OFSMS, teachers, parents, and other organizations dedicated to promoting digital well-being among youth. By shedding light on the complex interplay between social media and hate speech, SMASH endeavors to pave the way for a safer, healthier online environment for the younger generation.