Amidst Southeast Asia’s increasingly complex digital landscape, online hate speech has become a real threat to social harmony and peace. Negative narratives that spread rapidly through social media often trigger conflict and target vulnerable groups. However, amidst these challenges, new hope has emerged from tireless civil society activists seeking innovative solutions.
One of the most inspiring stories of change comes from the SAFER Workshop organised by SEAN-CSO and facilitated by PeaceGeneration Indonesia over four days at Deakin Lancaster Indonesia (DLI) Campus in Bandung. It was Fatimoh, a human rights defender from the Association for Humanitarian Affairs (DOA) in Thailand’s southernmost border province, who felt the transformative impact of this event firsthand.
Fatimoh’s story reflects how a workshop can be more than just a transfer of knowledge; it can trigger fundamental changes in mindset, toolset, and skillset.
The Real Challenge of Hate Speech in Southern Thailand
Before delving further into her transformation, it is important to understand the battlefield Fatimoh faces every day. ‘In southern Thailand, there is a lot of hate speech,’ she said. Her region, which has a complex history of conflict, has become fertile ground for divisive narratives.
According to Fatimoh, platforms such as Facebook and TikTok have become the main arenas where hate speech is used to attack each other.’ This phenomenon occurs massively and frequently, creating a toxic digital environment.
What is even more worrying is the impact on the younger generation. “Young people spend a lot of time on social media such as Facebook and TikTok,” explained Fatimoh. “They are at risk of being drawn into violence.” Her organisation, DOA, actively monitors human rights violations and seeks to protect young people from the vicious cycle of violence triggered by online content. This is the background that brought her to the SEAN-CSO workshop in the hope of finding new strategies.
A Moment of Enlightenment: Gamification as a Tool for Peace
During the three-day workshop, participants were provided with various materials, ranging from technology, storytelling to the use of creative media. For Fatimoh, the biggest moment of enlightenment came from a session she did not expect at all.
‘Before I attended this workshop, I knew nothing about games and gamification,’ she admitted. The concept of using game mechanics for non-entertainment purposes, such as education and awareness raising, was foreign to her.
However, after a session with one of the speakers, her perspective broadened. She was introduced to concepts like ‘identity fusion,’ where a game can foster a sense of community and positive group identity.
“I realised that games can be a way to build awareness among young people,” Fatimoh said enthusiastically. “Through games, we can teach many things, including issues of peace.”
This was a breakthrough. Instead of countering narratives of hatred with formal arguments that young people might ignore, the gamification approach offered a more engaging, interactive, and effective way. She saw great potential for applying this method in her community, changing the way they educate young people about the dangers of hate speech and the importance of peace.
Paradigm Shift: Youth Are No Longer Objects, but Subjects of Peace
The second transformation that Fatimoh experienced was even more fundamental, touching the core of her belief about who should lead peace efforts.
‘Previously, I thought that peacebuilding was the task of CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) or adults,’ she said honestly. In her view, young people were more often positioned as victims who needed to be protected, rather than as active agents of change.
This mindset was shattered during the SAFER Workshop. While interacting and watching presentations from other young participants from various countries in Southeast Asia, Fatimoh witnessed something extraordinary. She saw young people enthusiastically and intelligently leading peace initiatives in their respective countries.
‘When I saw young people from other countries directly involved in peacebuilding, my perspective changed,’ she said. ‘I realised that young people can also build peace.’
The shift from seeing young people as objects to subjects is a very powerful change. It opened the door to a new strategy in her organisation, where they would not only protect young people but also actively empower them to become ambassadors of peace in the digital space and their communities.
From Insight to Action
The story of Fatimoh Maauseng from the SAFER Workshop is clear evidence that the fight against online hate speech requires more than just good intentions. It requires openness to new ideas, a willingness to break down old assumptions, and a belief in the potential of every individual, especially the younger generation.
Fatimoh returned to Thailand not only with a certificate but with a renewed mindset, innovative tools such as gamification, and a new belief in the power of youth. Her experience underscores the importance of platforms such as the SEAN-CSO workshop, which serve as a forum for meeting, learning and, most importantly, transformation.
Her struggle and that of her fellow human rights defenders in Southeast Asia are still long. However, armed with new insights and enthusiasm, they are one step closer to creating a safer, more humane and peaceful digital ecosystem for all.
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SEAN-CSO provides a platform for civil society organisations in Southeast Asia to network and share resources. Through this network, members can support each other, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts to address the region’s social challenges. In doing so, SEAN-CSO contributes to strengthening the voice of civil society at both regional and international levels.