HATE SPEECH AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF OTHERS IN DIGITAL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG YOUTHS IN PLATEAU STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION AND PEACE IN NIGERIA
Makmis Mark Dakyen
Volume 13 Issue 2
Abstract
Civic engagement is one of the bedrocks of modern day democratic practice and has in recent times been an area of concern among academics and the government in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. In recent times, the increasing use of the digital media by the youths in Nigeria and the world over has appeared to dominate their lives, particularly their civic engagements. Aside its easy access and wide coverage, it is trendy among the youths. However, a related issue to this phenomenon has also been the growing challenge of hate speech among youths to the extent that such portends great threat to national integration and peace. This study investigates the prevalence, nature and impact of hate speech in digital civic engagement among youths in Plateau State, Nigeria, with a focus on the implications for national integration and peace. Drawing on survey data from 500 respondents, the findings reveal that 84.6% of hate speech incidences occur on digital platforms, with Twitter and Facebook emerging as the most prominent venues. The study uncovers that 82% of youths have either experienced or engaged in hate speech, with nearly half admitting repeated use. Religion (56.6%), political views (41.4%) and ethnicity (37.6%) are the most frequently targeted identity dimensions, reinforcing an us versus them narrative acknowledged by 96.6% of respondents. Youth frustration, political alignments and ethno-religious tensions were identified as key drivers of hate speech, while its effects include deepening social divisions, fostering distrust and threatening national cohesion. Anonymity in online interactions further compounds the issue, making regulation and accountability difficult. Despite their involvement, 51% of respondents support some form of hate speech regulation, with support positively correlated with education level. Gendered targeting also emerged, with women disproportionately affected by hate speech based on gender and socio-economic class. The study concludes that digital civic spaces are increasingly becoming arenas for divisive rhetoric rather than inclusive dialogue. Therefore, it recommends targeted digital literacy programmes, platform-specific interventions and balanced regulatory frameworks by the statutory agencies to mitigate the negative impact of hate speech on Nigeria’s fragile democratic and national integration processes. Keywords: Digital Civic Engagement, Digital Media, Hate Speech, Identity, National Integration, Youth, Plateau State, Nigeria
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