With billions of users worldwide, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding. Yet, alongside its many benefits, Facebook has also become a breeding ground for hate speech, a toxic phenomenon that threatens the very fabric of our global community. This threat seems to be growing by the day. According to the United Nations (UN) hate speech as "any kind of communication, verbal, written or behavioural, that is hostile or uses derogatory or discriminatory language against any person or group of people based on who they are, or, in other words, based on their religion, ethnic origin, nationality, race, skin color, social origin, gender and other identity factors.” In a UNDP manual titled “From Hate Speech to Non-Violent Communication,” hate speech influence is described as having risen in today’s world. UNDP noted that this was in part due to the usage of “new information technologies”. According to the UNDP, “The rhetoric of enmity and hatred spread in social media and instant messengers undermines the social cohesion of citizens, breeds distrust and intolerance, sows panic, provokes people to illegal actions, creating the ground for conflict tension.”
Hate speech is therefore more than just offensive words; it is a weapon that can incite violence, deepen social divisions, and perpetuate discrimination. On Facebook, where content can go viral in seconds and reach millions, the impact of such speech is magnified exponentially. Groups targeted by hate speech often face harassment and marginalisation, which can escalate into real-world consequences, including physical violence and social exclusion. It’s fair to say that just like mainstream media, Facebook simply mirrors society, reflecting the biases and tensions already present. But this does not absolve the platform of responsibility. In fact, Facebook has the resources and technological prowess to be a leader in combating hate speech. Unfortunately, it often falls short, caught between protecting freedom of expression and curbing harmful content. However, there is a lot more that can be done, especially in the era where whatever is shared on digital platforms spreads like wildfire. Whilst t is worth stating that the company’s content moderation policies have improved, they are still plagued by inconsistencies and slow responses. Automated systems sometimes fail to catch nuanced hate speech, while human moderators can be overwhelmed or biased. Worse, the sheer volume of content means that many hateful posts slip through unnoticed, spreading toxicity before action can be taken. Moreover, hate speech on Facebook disproportionately targets vulnerable communities — ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and religious groups — exacerbating societal inequalities. When these voices are drowned out by hatred and abuse, it undermines the democratic ideal of equal participation and respect.
