WARSAW and KRAKOW, Poland — Eight decades after the end of World War II, the fight against antisemitism is no longer confined to museums, memorials or classrooms. Today, it also unfolds on smartphone screens, TikTok videos and social media feeds viewed by millions of people around the world.
The dissemination of information has been revolutionized by digital platforms, opening up new avenues for teaching the next generation about history. However, those same platforms have also made it easier for false information, conspiracy theories, and hateful content to proliferate, creating additional difficulties for educators and activists fighting antisemitism.
For Sivan Gorbin, a Chilean-Israeli educator who specializes in Holocaust and antisemitism education, social media has fundamentally changed the landscape.
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“The digital era is much more aggressive because it enters your home,” Gorbin stressed during a virtual presentation from Israel. “It’s on your computer, it’s on your phone.”
Gorbin claims that while social media’s speed makes it possible for information to reach audiences more quickly than in the past, it also facilitates the spread of false narratives before they can be independently validated. Correcting false information gets more challenging as it spreads online.
Fast Information, But Lacking Veracity
“We are used to things happening very quickly,” she said. “People do not even read articles anymore.”
The challenge is not unique to antisemitism. Users are constantly exposed to information on social media sites, frequently absorbing news in a matter of seconds without checking its veracity. Gorbin contends that when talking about delicate subjects like the Holocaust, Jewish history, and modern antisemitism, this setting might be especially risky.
In her opinion, critical thinking and media literacy are crucial instruments for solving the issue.
“As the next generation of communicators, you have the responsibility to stop and ask where information comes from,” Gorbin stated.
Some people view social media as useful resources for education and commemoration, even though it can aid in the dissemination of negative narratives.
The Voice of the Silence founder, Samantha Rodríguez, has been sharing stories about Jewish history and Holocaust memory on social media for years. She targets audiences who might not come across these subjects in conventional classroom settings through videos, interviews, and instructional resources.
“I think social media is a very important tool for sharing any message,” Rodríguez mentioned. “Young people spend hours consuming videos and content online, so these platforms can also be used to educate.”
According to Rodríguez, a number of her videos have gone viral and received thousands of views, enabling her to interact with people from a variety of backgrounds and nations. She thinks the potential benefit overcomes the difficulties, even while instructional content can draw criticism.
The Opportunity To Teach Somebody Something New Compensates Negative Comments
“Even if there are negative comments, it also means more people are seeing the content,” Rodríguez vocalized. “If one person changes their perspective or learns something new, then I feel the goal has been accomplished.”
The online world is undoubtedly not one hundred percent friendly. In recent years, especially after the events of October 7, 2023, Rodriguez claimed to have seen an upsurge in disparaging remarks and false information.
She frequently comes across attempts to make analogies between the Holocaust and current political disputes, which she feels can skew our perspective of the past.
“The Holocaust was the systematic extermination of six million Jews and millions of other victims by the Nazi regime,” Rodríguez explained. “Comparing current events to the Holocaust minimizes the magnitude of what happened and disrespects its victims.”
Instead of responding to every offensive remark, Rodríguez concentrates on carrying out her teaching efforts and targeting audiences that are eager to learn.
She feels that connecting people who might not have otherwise come across these stories is one of social media’s biggest advantages.
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“Thanks to social media, I have met people I never would have known otherwise,” Rodríguez noted. “I have been able to interview survivors, connect with individuals interested in preserving historical memory and collaborate with people from around the world.”
As Holocaust survivors become fewer in number and younger generations increasingly turn to digital platforms for information, educators and advocates are adapting to meet audiences where they are.
The future of Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness may look very different from the past. Increasingly, those conversations are taking place not only in classrooms and museums, but also in comment sections, short-form videos and social media feeds viewed around the world.
“Maybe not everyone is impacted,” Rodríguez emphasized. “But if even one person learns something valuable, then it matters.”
