Episode 53 | Protecting Children & Youth From Online Hate

In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Barbara Perry about the rise of hate crimes and online hate communities, particularly how they impact children and youth. 

Dr. Perry is a professor at Ontario Tech University and the director of the Center on Hate, Bias, and Extremism. She holds a UNESCO Chair in Hate Studies and was recently named to the Order of Canada. As one of Canada’s leading experts on hate crimes and right-wing extremism, she advises policymakers, practitioners, and media on these issues and has authored multiple books, including In the Name of Hate and Right-Wing Extremism in Canada.

Janet and Dr. Perry discuss how hate crimes are legally defined, who is most often targeted, and the factors that contribute to a climate of hate. They also highlight how online spaces — especially gaming platforms and social media — are being used to spread hate and recruit young people into extremist movements. Dr. Perry shares practical ways parents and educators can monitor online spaces, build critical digital literacy skills, and create safer communities for children and youth.

You can find out more about Dr. Barbara Perry’s work at the ⁠Center on Hate, Bias, and Extremism⁠.