CHAPTER 5

C. Digital speech borders

TITLE

Digital speech borders

RESPONSIBLE PERSON

To be defined

DATE AND TIME

To be defined

SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Session room for 25 seat places, a projector, an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION

Digital rights are a part of Human rights, therefore participants will have the opportunity to be introduced into digital rights. Also, an explanation will be given on the differences between freedom of speech and “hate speech” on the internet, because nowadays there is a very thin line between these two, especially between the ages of 15 to 18.

SESSION OBJECTIVES:

Who do digital rights protect, and in which ways?
What is freedom? What is freedom on the internet?
Learn the difference between freedom of speech and hate speech.
To learn how to counter online hate speech.

METHODOLOGY

1. Energizer
2. Presentation
3. Group work
4. Discussion/debate

THE SESSION STEP BY STEP (WITH TIMING)

Step 1 (10min): Explain the energizer! Participants will do the “Count up numbers” energizer. Participants can stand up or be seated, they need to count up to 20 by shouting out numbers, but in the way that the numbers are shouted out one by one. If it happens that two participants shout out the number at the same time, the game will start from the beginning until they count up to 20 one by one.


Step 2 (10min): Make an introduction to the topic of not crossing the line between hate speech and freedom of speech. Briefly explain what is freedom of speech and what is hate speech. Try to figure out how not to cross the line between hate speech and freedom of speech.


Step 3 (10min): Show examples of social media posts from famous or non famous people where it is hard to tell if it’s freedom of speech or hate speech. Try to analyse those posts and see where the thin line of crossing these two topics is.


Step 4 (20min): Start discussion on the examples, discuss how to change those posts or redefine the wording to be sure that the line is not crossed. While talking about examples, try to lead the discussion into one of personal experiences in the topic.


Step 5 (20min): Analyse the personal experiences of the participants, see how the affected participants felt about the situation, did they find some help or did the situation cause some serious injury to their lives. Explain the importance of having support in this kind of situation.


Step 6 (10 min): Deliver a short Powerpoint presentation with legal information and help on digital rights, taking in consideration the topic of the session. Include in the presentation some web-links where people can find help in situations of encountering hate speech on the internet.


Step 7 (20 min): Ask participants to use the examples and transform their content in a way to counter hateful content. Ask them to be creative: they can change the wording, add sentences, create responses, use humour and human rights values to develop alternative narratives. Present them in the group.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Flip chart, markers, papers, water

HANDOUTS & OTHER TRAINING MATERIALS REQUIRED

Brochure on first aid help in case of online bullying, powerpoint for introduction and legal advice. Screenshots of hate speech examples.

SESSION OUTCOMES

Learn what internet human rights are and how to protect them.
Learn how to recognize hate speech and have the ability to help someone in case of hate speech.
Alternative narratives developed by participants.

EVALUATION

Questionnaire about the session, the talk about the session will be in the reflection group at the end of the day.

FOLLOW-UP

Try to create a similar session to this one, using the session outline for people from your NGO. Dissemination of the session by the trainers, evaluation and dos/donts about the session (trainer follow-up).

Now we are sure that you are fully armed to bring some amazing results!

GOOD LUCK!

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