ABSTRACT
This chapter considers two issues that are separate but arguably on the same spectrum. It describes the first issue that is so-called ‘hate speech’, a form of odious expression whereby people are targeted on the basis of their race, colour, sexuality, religion or other physical characteristics. The chapter examines the second issue that is ‘harm’ websites or, more properly, ‘self-harm’ websites, that is, those websites that seek to encourage or glorify the actions of an individual that could cause harm to themselves. Both hate speech and harm sites are linked by the fact that they relate to content and not physical contact. The key aspect of hate speech is that the hatred must be directed towards a group rather than an individual. Racism and xenophobia remain the most common types of hate-speech websites and so it is the most logical form to examine.
