Effect of online civic intervention and online disinhibition on online hate speech among digital media users

Abstract

Given the numerous theoretical gaps in explanations regarding online hate speech and the insufficient level of empirical data to fully understand this phenomenon, this study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach through two phases; it employed a quantitative online questionnaire (n=2,242), followed by a qualitative online vignette interview (n=23) to contribute to the knowledge in the field. In particular, it aimed to investigate the moderating roles of online civic intervention (OCI), online disinhibition, and demographic variables in the relationship between online hate exposure\victimization and perpetration. Among the most interesting findings of this research was that the impact of toxic online disinhibition was a negative moderator in the relationship between online hate exposure and perpetration. Furthermore, the impact of high-threshold OCI was positive in this relationship. However, the impact of low-threshold OCI was positive in the relationship between online hate speech victimization and perpetration. Further justifications for OCI and new proposed types of online disinhibition have been suggested based on the findings.