STOPPING HATE: HOW TO COUNTER HATE SPEECH ON TWITTER

STOPPING HATE: THE Q&A SESSION

On Friday the 22nd of July, the European Day for the Victims of Hate Crime, we held a Q & A session on Twitter. Our experts answered all the questions coming in via #askGTTO.

We started off with the launch of our new website as well as the tips and the guide on how to counter hate speech on Twitter.

We are live! Check out our guide to stop hate speech on our new website: https://t.co/8W0OmY3hto pic.twitter.com/ASxsbYhNEZ

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

Questions started coming in!

@GetTrollsOut How do I report hate speech that might amount to hate crime? #askGTTO

— Bob Todd (@bobtodd32557426) July 22, 2016

Our experts were ready to answer the questions by helping people find additional resources, or giving guidance on how to deal with online hate speech.

@bobtodd32557426 You can use sites like https://t.co/RrOvevhe6Z or https://t.co/dvbmFsaya9 designed for just that.

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

..And @bobtodd32557426 If you are using a reporting site, remember to include screenshots as evidence of potential hate crime .

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

Examples were taken from recent news stories on how to deal with hate speech.

#askGTTO if you are a celebrity targeted by massive online abuse such as @Lesdoggg, what do you recommend doing? #NoHateSpeech

— Giulia Dessi (@G_Zazie) July 22, 2016

@G_Zazie Abuse posted in the UK can amount to criminal harassment, so I'd recommend contacting the Police! https://t.co/jvi7U9z9dr

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

#askGTTO if u have many followers, like @benjamincohen @Lesdoggg @lucianaberger, is it good to retweet online abuse to draw attention to it?

— Giulia Dessi (@G_Zazie) July 22, 2016

@G_Zazie we'd advise not. This just spreads the abuse and gives publicity to the abusers. #StoppingHate. https://t.co/GW0MimUxYl

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

We were happy to see that people are aware of the levels of hate speech on Twitter, and realised that something needs to be done about it.

@GetTrollsOut @stophateuk I had no idea of the levels of hate on here until starting this. Good advice that I should take more often

— Women Defy UKIP (@WomenDefyUKIP) July 22, 2016

The question from ENAR Hungary showed us that a lot depends on whether you are an individual or an organisation trying to combat hate speech online

#askGTTO Which one you prefer: ignoring or responding? We always react on hate comments with counter-narratives.

— ENAR-Hungary (@ENARHungary) July 22, 2016

@ENARHungary It may depend on whether you are an organisation or an individual, and the level of risk? #askGTTO https://t.co/VydlAMVThL

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

Sometimes it might be better to seek help or other support from an organisation, when you encounter hate speech. You always have to keep in mind your own safety:

Is it better if this response comes from the account of a person or the account of an organisation? #askGTTO @GetTrollsOut

— Giulia Dessi (@G_Zazie) July 22, 2016

@G_Zazie Both can have different impacts, but perhaps individuals need to be mindful of security & safety. #askGTTO https://t.co/6JBCUsUuzW

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

Even if you yourself are not the target of the hate speech, you can still contribute by reporting it!

@GetTrollsOut #askGTTO Some of the communities most affected are the least likely to report incidents. How to counter this? #stoppinghate

— Bob Todd (@bobtodd32557426) July 22, 2016

#askGTTO @bobtodd32557426 Maybe.. encouraging use of 3rd Party reporting and by reporting what we witness ourselves? https://t.co/XH1WbvHwq2

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

The main question however remains: what is your goal?

#StoppingHate? Think about your objectives. Are you seeking to lessen the consequences of a hateful Tweet on the wider audience? #askGTTO

— Get The Trolls Out (@GetTrollsOut) July 22, 2016

Check out #askGTTO if you want to see more of the Tweets that were written during the Q&A session on Friday the 22nd of July. Or, if you have more questions, check out our full guide or please don't hesitate to get in touch!