From Hate Speech to Collective Action Intentions: The Role of Counter-Speech and Accuracy Cues Among Targeted Minorities

Online hate speech targeting minority groups poses a significant social identity threat to those affected, often prompting coping strategies like out-group avoidance or derogation, which can harm intergroup relations in diverse societies. However, collective action as an empowering response has received limited attention in this context. Drawing on the social identity model of collective action (SIMCA), this study examines both the mechanisms and boundary conditions of online hate speech’s impact on minority groups. Across two experiments ( N Study1 = 328 Muslims; N Study2 = 583 Latinos), we find that online hate speech increases group-based injustice, which in turn drives collective action intentions, supporting the SIMCA. This effect is amplified when information embedded in the online hate speech is perceived as inaccurate or flagged for inaccuracy. In Study 2, we further demonstrate that counter-speech can reduce group-based injustice and, when paired with low-accuracy hate speech, enhance collective efficacy beliefs.