This paper looks at the evidence as to the role online hate plays in spreading racist thinking and actions offline, including hate and terror crimes. It explores the evidence for whether harmful action online has increased both harmful ideas and actual harm against minority ethnic and racial groups. Specifically, it covers:

• Hateful discourse on the internet and acts of violence
• Freedom of all people to access and use quality information (including that related to issues of race and ethnicity)
• The spread of racist ideas and ways of thinking across populations
• Impacts on people from minority ethnic and religious groups in everyday life