When memes harm: navigating humour and RJ in the Digital Age

In the endless scroll of social media, memes have become the visual shorthand of the internet. With a clever combination of imagery and text, they simplify, mock, celebrate, or criticize our realities in a way that’s fast, shareable, and funny—at least, most of the time. Yet as much as they amuse, memes can also wound. Behind the laughs, a more complex question is emerging: what happens when memes cross the line into public shaming or online harassment?

Humour has always walked a fine line between the harmless and the hurtful. In the digital age, this line is increasingly blurred. The very structure of meme culture encourages replication, exaggeration, and virality—qualities that can turn a single joke into a global spectacle. While satire has a long-standing role in society as a form of critique, memes today often punch down rather than up. Individuals—sometimes public figures, but often private citizens caught in awkward moments—become the unwitting subjects of ridicule, mocked without consent, and exposed to waves of derision.

The result is a new kind of harm, one that may not involve physical violence but still leaves emotional and psychological scars. The dynamics of online humour can easily become tools for exclusion, dehumanization, or punishment. For instance, think of teenagers who find themselves turned into memes after embarrassing moments at school, or employees whose private comments are leaked and ridiculed by thousands. Once viral, these moments are difficult—if not impossible—to retract. Unlike traditional bullying, which typically occurs within a closed context, meme-based shaming is borderless, permanent, and algorithmically encouraged.

The intention behind a meme might be humour, but its impact is often more complicated. A common justification is: “It’s just a joke.” Yet, this phrase can mask the real pain of those targeted. What if the person being laughed at didn’t consent to being part of that joke? What if the meme taps into deeper forms of marginalization—mocking race, gender, disability, body shape, or sexual orientation?

These questions become even more urgent when we consider the ripple effects. Victims of meme-based harassment frequently report anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and even suicidal ideation. A single viral image can impact employment, education, and relationships. And yet, the mechanisms for recourse are scarce. Reporting a meme to a platform rarely results in meaningful action. Legal remedies are often impractical or unavailable, particularly when the content spreads across jurisdictions. In most cases, victims are left to endure the consequences alone, while the internet moves on to its next target.

So how do we address this kind of harm? And more importantly, how can we create spaces for healing?

Restorative justice offers a powerful alternative. Traditionally rooted in responses to crime and conflict, restorative approaches focus not on punishment, but on repairing harm. They prioritize dialogue, accountability, and the rehumanization of all involved. Rather than simply asking “Who’s to blame?” restorative practices ask: “Who has been harmed? What do they need? And who has the responsibility to meet those needs?”

This framework is particularly well-suited to the digital age, where conventional justice systems often fail to respond adequately to new forms of harm. While it might be difficult—or even impossible—to remove a meme once it goes viral, restorative practices can help those affected regain a sense of agency, dignity, and closure. Victims can be given a voice to express how they were harmed. Those who shared or created the meme can be invited to understand the impact of their actions, sometimes for the first time. Community members—whether friends, classmates, or digital bystanders—can reflect on their role in perpetuating or tolerating harmful humour.

These processes don’t necessarily require formal legal frameworks. Schools, community organizations, and online communities can initiate restorative circles or conversations when harm occurs. For instance, a school could bring together a student who created a meme and the peer who was targeted, within a structured, facilitated dialogue. In a moderated online forum, community members could discuss how their norms encourage or discourage digital shaming. Such processes do not aim to humiliate the “offender” but rather to foster empathy, responsibility, and shared learning.

Importantly, restorative approaches allow for nuance. They recognize that harm doesn’t always stem from malice—sometimes it stems from ignorance, peer pressure, or the belief that humour is harmless. In the case of meme culture, many content creators are teenagers or young adults, still developing their sense of empathy and social responsibility. A restorative approach meets them where they are, offering not condemnation but growth.

And... what can a platform like Restorativ do in this space?

Restorativ is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between harm and healing in the digital age. Through its online tools and case management features, it can support facilitators, schools, and organizations in addressing digital conflicts—whether they arise from memes, comments, or broader patterns of online behaviour. Its secure, accessible environment is ideal for initiating conversations that might not happen otherwise, especially when parties are geographically dispersed or hesitant to meet in person.

Furthermore, Restorativ can be a tool for prevention. By integrating educational resources on responsible digital behaviour, meme ethics, and digital consent, it can help communities—especially younger ones—develop healthier norms around humour and communication. Workshops or awareness campaigns could be integrated into schools or youth programs using our RestorativU mentoring platform, creating a culture of reflection and responsibility before harm occurs.

In conclusion, while memes can be light-hearted and humorous, they can also inflict real harm. As digital culture continues to evolve, we need responses that are both flexible and human-centered. Restorative practices provide a way to navigate this complexity—focusing not on blame, but on healing. And with tools like Restorativ, these practices can be brought into the digital age, offering pathways for empathy, dialogue, and repair—even in the most unexpected corners of the internet.