Arabic version: تحقيق يكشف عن تأثير العنصرية عبر الإنترنت على الصحة النفسية للأمم الأولى
A parliamentary inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples received more than 420 submissions, many of which describe an increasingly toxic online environment. According to The Guardian, First Nations people describe the experience as akin to carrying a bully in their pocket.
The inquiry is responding to a surge in offensive content across social media platforms, exacerbated by algorithms that promote divisive narratives. One example is a controversial video by a self-declared Australian comedian, which has sparked outrage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for its mocking portrayal of Indigenous identity.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for a digital duty of care to require social media companies to identify, assess and mitigate foreseeable risks arising from recommender systems and monetisation practices that incentivise the amplification and normalisation of racist narratives. Community leaders report that the prevalence of online racism leads to real-world harm, intimidation, and division within communities.
Content creator Jordan Hindmarsh-Keevil expressed that such videos have a direct impact on the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations people, labeling them as harmful rather than comedic. In response to the backlash against the offending video, Hindmarsh-Keevil initiated fundraising for mental health support aimed at Indigenous Australians, reflecting a proactive approach to counter the negative effects of online hate.
