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<p>Counter-speech strategies are responses that oppose hate content and can effectively counteract ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement. However, less is known about the potential effects when adolescents actively engage in generating counter-speech messages. To this end, a specifically designed conversational tool was developed and implemented to enhance the active elaboration of counter-speech, conceived as a prosocial process based on moral arguments elicited through self-persuasion exercise. Grounded in theoretical models of prosocial behavior, the counter-speech training session utilized a chat-based web app that guided users in understanding and applying five structured counter-speech strategies, based on the moral disengagement theory, in response to simulated ethnic hate speech. A sample of 170 adolescents (M = 14.46, SD = 0.70) participated in two sessions, during which their ability to generate elaborated counter-speech and pre- and post-training measures of ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement were collected. Results showed that higher levels of counter-speech elaboration significantly predicted lower levels of ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement at the post-training session, even after controlling for baseline levels. While overall stereotyping decreased significantly, no significant change was observed in moral disengagement. These findings suggest that digital, dialogue-based training can help reduce discriminatory tendencies in adolescents by challenging distorted beliefs and promoting moral reflection. This approach may complement existing psycho-educational strategies to foster early inclusivity and empowerment.</p>

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Counter-speech elaboration matters: using conversational technology to challenge ethnic stereotypes and moral disengagement in adolescents

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月21日

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  • Paolo Giovanni Cicirelli,
  • Carmela Sportelli,
  • Marinella Paciello,
  • Sebastian Wachs,
  • Francesca D’Errico

摘要

Counter-speech strategies are responses that oppose hate content and can effectively counteract ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement. However, less is known about the potential effects when adolescents actively engage in generating counter-speech messages. To this end, a specifically designed conversational tool was developed and implemented to enhance the active elaboration of counter-speech, conceived as a prosocial process based on moral arguments elicited through self-persuasion exercise. Grounded in theoretical models of prosocial behavior, the counter-speech training session utilized a chat-based web app that guided users in understanding and applying five structured counter-speech strategies, based on the moral disengagement theory, in response to simulated ethnic hate speech. A sample of 170 adolescents (M = 14.46, SD = 0.70) participated in two sessions, during which their ability to generate elaborated counter-speech and pre- and post-training measures of ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement were collected. Results showed that higher levels of counter-speech elaboration significantly predicted lower levels of ethnic stereotyping and moral disengagement at the post-training session, even after controlling for baseline levels. While overall stereotyping decreased significantly, no significant change was observed in moral disengagement. These findings suggest that digital, dialogue-based training can help reduce discriminatory tendencies in adolescents by challenging distorted beliefs and promoting moral reflection. This approach may complement existing psycho-educational strategies to foster early inclusivity and empowerment.