In today’s fast-paced and emotionally charged digital world, social media can be both empowering and overwhelming for students, especially when issues related to identity, antisemitism, and current events dominate their social media feeds. Jewish students are increasingly navigating complex, and at times hostile, digital environments. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, 82% of American Jews under the age of 30 saw antisemitic content online. American Jewish Committee’s “Guidance to Help Jewish Students Engage Responsibly with Social Media” offers practical strategies to help support Jewish students in fostering emotionally safe and responsible online behavior.
- Think Before You Engage
Social media is rarely a space for productive debate. Encourage students to refrain from commenting on posts from unknown users or inflammatory content, even from individuals they might know and trust. These online exchanges often amplify hateful rhetoric rather than promote understanding. Prioritize offline conversations, where tone, nuance, and empathy can lead to more meaningful dialogue. - Know When to Ask for Help
If a student encounters hateful or threatening content targeting their Jewish identity, political beliefs, sexual orientation, race, or gender, they should never feel they need to handle it alone. Encourage them to speak immediately with a trusted adult—such as a parent, teacher, school counselor, or advisor—who can help report the incident and provide guidance on next steps. - Curate Your Digital Space
Students should feel empowered to unfollow, mute, or block accounts that regularly share content that is distressing, offensive, hateful, or violent. While it’s valuable to be exposed to diverse perspectives, no one should feel obligated to “hate-follow” voices that consistently make them feel targeted or unsafe—emotional well-being matters, especially online. - Protect Personal Privacy
Review privacy settings with students to ensure they understand who can see their posts, photos, and personal information. Remind them never to share sensitive details, such as their address, phone number, or school location. A private account offers an extra layer of safety in managing who interacts with their content. - Report Hate Speech and Antisemitism
Social media platforms allow users to report hate speech, threats, and misinformation. Educators and parents should teach students how to use these tools to report posts or accounts that violate community standards. Blocking accounts that promote hate is also a protective step students can take immediately.- Reporting is crucial. AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report revealed 65% of American Jews who experienced antisemitism online, did not report it. Learn how to report on different social media platforms by exploring AJC’s Reporting Antisemitism Guidance.
- Understand Common Online Dog Whistles
Antisemitic content is often cloaked in seemingly benign symbols or numbers as a form of covert content intended to avoid detection by moderation systems. Educators and parents can help students understand these symbols and how to recognize when they are used maliciously. Students should be aware of the following:- Watermelon emoji: Widely used as a pro-Palestinian symbol, it can become a form of harassment or intimidation when placed in threads with Jewish-related content.
- Nose emoji: A reference to antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish facial features.
- 88 or HH: Code for “Heil Hitler” using the 8th letter of the alphabet.
- 109: A reference to the number of countries that have expelled Jews, and suggestion that there should be more.
- 6MWE: Shorthand for “6 Million Wasn’t Enough”; referencing the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and suggesting there should be more.
- Octopus, rat, snake, and pig emojis: Animals used to dehumanize Jews and perpetuate conspiracy myths about Jewish world control, filth, and deceitfulness.
- Juice box emoji: Used as a coded message for “Jews”.
- Triple parentheses around (((name))): Used to target Jewish individuals.
- Avoid Public Online Arguments
Encourage students to refrain from debating antisemitism or Israel-related issues in comment threads or posts. Engaging with inflammatory content often boosts its visibility. Instead, guide students to save those conversations for face-to-face discussions in a safe and supportive environment. Promote the idea of council vs. cancel; instead of calling out an antisemitic post, share how that content makes you feel. - Respond with Curiosity—Not Combativeness
If a student feels safe doing so, encourage them to personally approach their peers who share offensive content with openness and curiosity. A respectful question like, “I’m curious, what led you to share this?” can open a door for learning. Many students share content without considering the context, the creator, or the implications. Honest conversation can lead to real and positive impact. - Encourage Empathy and Thoughtful Posting
Before posting, students should consider how their content might affect others. Teach them to think critically about tone, context, and emotional impact. Encourage empathy—what they share may have a profound influence on their peers’ feelings and perceptions. - Balance the Digital Landscape with Positivity
Students can rebalance their social media feeds by actively following uplifting, joyful, or inspiring accounts related to humor, creativity, spirituality, or culture. Encourage students to engage with accounts that promote Jewish joy. While it’s important to stay informed, it’s equally essential to find content that brings light, not just heat, to their digital world. - Know When to Log Off
Help students recognize when it’s time to step away from social media. Setting screen time limits or taking breaks—especially during stressful news cycles—can protect mental and emotional health. Balance, not avoidance, is the goal.
This guide was developed by AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy (CEA), which works to ensure that education spaces refuse to normalize antisemitism in any form and are inclusive of Jews and Jewish identity through a deep commitment to critical thinking, viewpoint diversity, fact-based inquiry, and democratic values; and that Jewish students and their families are equipped to engage effectively with their school communities and peers, and be proud advocates for themselves and the Jewish people.
We are here to help. If you would like to connect with our team for support, please reach out to us at education@ajc.org.
