Race and Ethnicity

Last updated 29 Jul 2010

Racism

The Public Order Act (1986) covers criminally racist material and makes it an offence to stir up racial hatred against a group of persons in Great Britain defined by reference to colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.

There are many websites, music and game downloads, IRC channels and newsgroups organised around specific discriminatory and inciting beliefs. Familiar gaming technologies and formats may be exploited as a medium for covertly communicating racist and discriminatory beliefs which may pose a risk of harm to children and young people.

Risks

Racist websites

There are many racist or xenophobic websites on the Internet, which often include extremely hurtful and damaging content.  These sites are illegal and if you come across any, it is important to report them to the Internet Watch Foundation. Several websites pose as trustworthy sites, but in fact have racist undertones.  Here are some tips for validating the authenticity of websites:

  • Look for web pages which you know are published by organisations which have a good reputation offline as well as online for providing correct information.
  • Cross check for information – Search the web for to see if there if there are any other sources of information to support what you have read.
  • Be aware of any biases the author of the web page – ask yourself if there are any reasons why they may want to publish something in a particular way or if they have anything to gain from this

Cyberbullying

According to the leading charities on bullying and cyberbullying, racism is a prolific cause of cyberbullying.  Cyberbullying is the use of the Internet or other mobile technologies to bully individuals.  If you have experienced any form of cyberbullying and would like some help, information or advice, go to: http://www.cybermentors.org.uk. Cyberbullying based on race is also considered a hate crime.  You can report hate crimes to your local police or at: www.reporthatecrime.co.uk.

Safety Tips

If you see any racist sites or content on the Internet, go to the The Internet Watch Foundation http://www.iwf.org.uk/  They are tasked with dealing with reports on UK hosted Internet content which users believe stirs up such hatred.

If you experience any form of hate crime on the Internet, report it to your local police or www.reporthatecrime.co.uk.