Sky News investigation finds rise in racist content online for young people
A Sky News investigation reveals that young people are encountering more racist content online, driven by political rhetoric and AI-generated deepfakes.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new investigation by Sky News, in partnership with Goldsmiths University, has found that young people from black and minority ethnic groups are encountering more racist content online than ever before. The research points to two main drivers: polarised political rhetoric and the rise of AI-generated deepfakes.
In 2025, 58% of young people surveyed said they felt less safe offline because of what they saw online. The study also found that 18% reported that racist content had affected their friendships outside their own ethnic group. Participants described being targeted with direct messages containing racial slurs, and said that people who would not express such views in person feel emboldened to do so online.
A key concern is the use of AI-generated content. One verified deepfake showed black teenagers gathering in an Asda supermarket, created entirely by AI. Young people said such content is believable and creates fear, as it becomes harder to distinguish reality from fabrication. They described it as propaganda that reinforces negative stereotypes.
Political rhetoric, particularly around migrants, was also cited as a factor. Young people said that language used by politicians and political influencers has given a new legitimacy to racist comments online, often invoking free speech to justify extreme views. They noted that influencers may post hateful content for engagement and profit, even if they do not genuinely hold those beliefs.
Social media platforms, including Meta (owner of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp), responded by stating they have robust systems to remove language that incites violence and work with law enforcement when there is a risk of physical harm. However, the young people in the study said the damage is already done, and they worry about the influence such content has on their peers.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Sky News |
|---|---|
| 18% of young people said racist content affected their friendships outside their ethnic group. | |
| 58% of young people in 2025 said they felt less safe offline due to what they saw online. | |
| AI-generated deepfakes are being used to create negative stereotypes, such as one showing black teens in Asda. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the findings of its own exclusive research with Goldsmiths University, highlighting the personal experiences of young people and the dual threats of political rhetoric and AI deepfakes. The tone was investigative and concerned, with a strong emphasis on the emotional impact on young people and the normalisation of online racism.
- “What they're too scared to say in real life, they're not scared to say online.”
- “There's a new legitimacy in being racist online.”
- “It's quite terrifying, actually, because you're not sure whether what you're seeing online is reality or not.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.