Social media has put hate on steroids, accelerating the harm it does. Disinformation and artificial intelligence have fanned the flames of hatred. And what happens online often moves into the streets.
Jewish Canadians are among the most likely to be targeted. Antisemitic incidents in Canada more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, according to B’nai Brith, an advocacy organization that has tracked antisemitism in Canada since 1982. About two thirds of all religious hate crimes in Canada are directed towards Jewish people.
But there are solutions—if we are willing to work for them.
Join us for an exploration of how antisemitism looks online, how its prevalence harms individuals and society, and how we can mitigate that harm. Dr. Andre Oboler, founder and CEO of Australia’s Online Hate Prevention Institute and an internationally recognized expert in monitoring and countering online hate, will share his expertise and discuss what action is possible to combat the proliferation of hate online.
Dr. Oboler explains that what happens online doesn’t stay there—it moves out into society, shifting attitudes and beliefs and setting a new normal for what’s acceptable. The problem is exacerbated by echo chambers that take hate viral, and influencers that strip complex issues of context—simplifying discourse into easy‐to‐spew narratives.
He will examine real‐world examples, including how antisemitism has been fueled by the ongoing conflict in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon.
According to Dr. Oboler, one major contributor to online hate is a broken business model. Social media platforms could proactively remove content, restrict users when necessary, and add context where it’s needed. However, platforms profit from hate, both directly and indirectly—and taking action to curb it reduces their income and increases their costs.
Dr. Oboler believes governments have a responsibility to protect consumers and the public interest, just as they do when managing risks related to any other industries. He will talk about this and share the ways that civil society, community organizations and individuals can play a role in preventing harm caused by online hate.
Following his talk, participants will be invited to ask questions and engage in discussion.
Presented by CMHR in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada (JHCWC), this event is free and open to the public. Please register to secure your spot for this important discussion.
About Andre Oboler
Dr. Andre Oboler is the CEO of the Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI) and an internationally recognized expert in monitoring and countering online hate, particularly online antisemitism and extremism. In his role at OHPI, Australia’s only charity dedicated to tackling cyber‐racism and other forms of online hate and extremism, Dr. Oboler develops new methodologies and approaches for monitoring, measuring and responding to online hate and extremism and for empowering communities and increasing community resilience in the face of an increasingly hostile online environment and the negative impact this has on everyday life.
Dr. Oboler holds a PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University (UK) and an LLM (Juris Doctor) from Monash University (Australia).