U. of Wisconsin study: 'Online racial discrimination, harassment represent unique risk for teenagers of color'

Online racial discrimination or harassment has a negative effect on the academic and emotional well-being of students of color, according to a new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"Online racial discrimination and harassment represents a unique risk for teenagers of color," Alvin Thomas, assistant professor and Phyllis Northway, Faculty Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and one of the authors of study, wrote in The Conversation. "Not only are they more likely to see and post more race-related content, but when this race-related content is negative it has harmful effects on their mental health, academics and overall behavior."

The study, which was published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, surveyed 356 Black and Hispanic teens across the U.S.

Results of the study showed that Black and Hispanic teens, who used social media more often, were more likely to encounter online racial harassment or discrimination. They were either direct victims, or observed their racial group or another racial group, being demeaned or discredited. 

The adolescents, who observed more online racial harassment or discrimination, suffered more depression and anxiety than those with fewer of these negative online experiences. Higher levels of depression and anxiety undermined Black and Hispanic adolescents’ confidence in their academic abilities.

Furthermore, the study found that when teens encountered online discrimination during their social media use, they had fewer positive beliefs about their academic skills. This is noteworthy because, if it weren't for this discrimination, teens who use social media often had more positive perceptions of their academic skills and abilities than those who used less social media.

According to Thomas, online racial discrimination and harassment represents a special risk for teenagers of color. Not only are they more likely to see and post more race-related content, but when this race-related content is negative, it has harmful effects on their mental health, academics, and overall behavior.

The study emphasizes the need for schools, parents and youth agencies to have a better understanding of how online racial discrimination and harassment affect teenagers' mental health and academic well-being. 

Further research is under way to determine the other effects that online harassment could have on young people of color, such as influencing them to engage in social and political activism.