Hate Speech in the Social Media: A Study of Users’ Views in Effurun, Delta State

Abstract

Hate speech has become a common phenomenon in the social media especially during the last few years in Nigeria. Hate speech is a comment or remark against ethnic groups, religious groups, individual or group of individuals and race. The paper examines users’ views of hate speech in the social media. The study is anchored on the social identity theory, which explains how an individual is influenced by information relevant and prevailing among the group members. To ascertain users’ views of hate speech in the social media, 314 copies of questionnaire as instrument for data collection were administered to social media users in Effurun in Delta State. Results showed that hate speech in the social media is capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country if not checked. The result also showed that it is against freedom of speech and expression to monitor the social media. However, in the case where hate speech and comments in the social media may lead to violence or crises, the law should take its course. It is recommended that social media users should be mindful of the things they post on the social media. The unity of the country should be priority to all social media users.