Building a digital world without hate: mission possible?

3 minutes

A teenager hesitates before posting a comment online.

Across Europe, this moment happens millions of times every day. Sometimes the hesitation comes from uncertainty. Sometimes from fear. Fear of being mocked, attacked, excluded, or targeted by hate speech. For many young people, the digital world has become both a place of connection and a source of pressure.

The internet has transformed how young people learn, communicate and participate in society. Yet alongside its opportunities, online spaces increasingly expose children and adolescents to cyberbullying, harassment, misinformation and discrimination. According to recent European studies, a significant proportion of young people report experiencing harmful online behaviour, while many say they have witnessed hate speech on social media platforms. As digital life becomes inseparable from everyday life, protecting young people online has become as important as safeguarding them in any physical environment.
Young people wearing Scout scarves stand making two circles and gestures with their hands.
Scouts of North Macedonia

This challenge is being felt across Europe, but in North Macedonia, a growing partnership is demonstrating how young people themselves can become part of the solution.

"Net Bez Hate" (Net Without Hate) is a two-year youth-focused programme dedicated to creating a safer and more inclusive digital environment for children and young people.

Developed through a partnership between the Telekom Foundation for Macedonia, UNICEF, and the Scout Association of Macedonia, the programme addresses cyberbullying, hate speech, digital wellbeing and online safety through an approach that places young people at the centre.
Young people stand next to each other smiling and moving.
Scouts of North Macedonia

Through the programme, five Scout leaders were trained as mentors and now support 50 young people aged 15–18 as they design and lead their own initiatives. Using non-formal education, peer learning and the Scout Method, participants explored challenges related to cyberbullying and online hate before developing practical solutions for their communities.

Today, youth-led teams are creating podcasts, developing awareness campaigns, organising workshops for parents, building an anonymous support platform for teenagers and collaborating with institutions to strengthen digital safety and children's rights in schools.
This topic is important for Scouting in North Macedonia because Scouts are taught to be kind, respectful and responsible members of society. Through this project, we learned how to recognise and prevent online hate, promote positive behaviour on the internet and understand that cyberbullying is a serious issue that can affect anyone. We also learned how to share these messages with our friends and communities, helping to raise awareness and create a safer and more respectful online environment.
Angela
Young participant
Young people stand in a room speaking while holding flipcharts.
Scouts of North Macedonia

For the Scout Association of Macedonia, the programme is closely connected to the Safe from Harm approach. By mentoring participants throughout the programme, Scouts help young people develop leadership skills, strengthen teamwork, build resilience and transform ideas into action. More importantly, they create supportive environments where young people feel empowered to lead.

The programme will continue throughout 2026, expanding its activities to at least 20 schools and local communities across the country while supporting campaigns and content created by young people for young people.

In 2026, the programme will expand through youth-led initiatives in at least 20 schools and local communities across North Macedonia. It will support the creation of campaigns and content developed by young people for young people, while strengthening cooperation with institutions and partners working in child protection and digital safety.
Europe Bullying Safe from harm