Dr. Ashraf Al-Rai

About a year ago, I wrote an article that posed the question of whether hate crimes were spreading across our digital platforms and turning into a “social fever.”

As with any article, I sent the link to several friends. One of them responded almost immediately: “Yes, we are suffering from hate crimes on our digital platforms, and we must acknowledge it.”

Today, in our digital world, hate crimes have become more widespread and dangerous than ever before, fueled by the growing influence of social media. Racism and incitement to violence are no longer marginal rhetoric confined to closed circles. Instead, they now dominate the public sphere, amplified by the rapid spread of content on platforms like X and Facebook.

This phenomenon accurately reflects the warning issued by the Italian philosopher and novelist Umberto Eco, who once said:
“Tools like Twitter and Facebook grant the right to speak to legions of fools—people who used to speak without causing any harm to society and were immediately silenced… But now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner… It is the invasion of fools.”

These words shed light on one of the most pressing challenges of the modern age: the ability of anyone—regardless of their awareness or sense of responsibility—to spread hateful and incendiary ideas to the public without any real barriers. Hate speech is no longer just an opinion voiced in private; it has become accessible to everyone, engaging thousands, perhaps even millions, transforming it from an individual viewpoint into a public discourse that can shape entire societies.

What is even more alarming is that traditional media used to have some level of filtering and editorial oversight before publishing any public discourse. Today, however, anyone can write a post or a tweet that gets widely shared within minutes, turning into a perceived “truth” for some—despite being nothing more than malicious falsehoods.

Moreover, social media platforms are designed to capture attention through sensationalism, making hate speech and incitement spread faster than moderate or analytical content. Numerous studies indicate that false news and hate speech receive more engagement than balanced content, further amplifying their danger.

The algorithms governing these platforms promote content that generates the most interaction, without distinguishing between what is incendiary and what is constructive. As a result, users find themselves surrounded by hate speech without realizing how it shapes their views and beliefs.

Recognizing the severity of this phenomenon, many countries have enacted legislation to combat online hate speech. However, the practical enforcement of these laws remains complex, particularly due to challenges in assigning legal responsibility, especially when inciters operate anonymously.

Yet, the real solution is not merely strict legal enforcement. On a societal level, digital hate crimes deepen divisions within communities, turning public discourse into a battlefield rather than a means of dialogue and understanding. Repeated exposure to such rhetoric normalizes it, reducing our sensitivity to its dangers and increasing its acceptance.

Therefore, the most crucial step is raising public awareness about the risks of hate speech by organizing community discussions and empowering academics, media professionals, and legal experts to actively address this issue. Promoting balanced discourse is essential for building more tolerant and cohesive societies.