The Lapland police department has issued a statement on Facebook regarding a 13-year-old boy reported missing in Rovaniemi. In the aftermath of this announcement, they noticed a surge of racist and discriminatory language in the comments section. In response to the hateful comments, which were especially concerning due to the vulnerable status of the missing child, the police decided to disable comments on the post and hide the previous comments.

The police emphasized their commitment to not tolerating racism, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior in any form, reinforcing that their duty is to serve everyone equally and with respect. In their Facebook post, they condemned the hateful comments, stating that such behavior is unacceptable, particularly when directed at a minor. They reiterated their call for respectful conduct on social media, reminding the public that bullying, threats, and discrimination are behaviors that should not occur online or offline, especially towards vulnerable individuals like children.

This incident raises critical questions about the responsibility of social media users and platforms in maintaining a respectful environment, especially in times of distress when vulnerable individuals, such as children, are involved. The police's proactive stance against hate speech not only aimed to protect the dignity of the child at the center of the situation but also served as a broader call to action for netizens to foster a more inclusive and supportive online community.