Abstract
It is well known that victims of violence are more likely than non-victims to be perpetrators, and that perpetrators are more likely than non-perpetrators to be victims. However, the overlap between being the victim of violence and the perpetrator of violence is not well understood when it comes to online hate. An explanatory mechanism in this relationship could potentially be the use of specific coping strategies. We sought to develop a better understanding of the relationship between the victims and the perpetrators of online hate to inform effective intervention and prevention initiatives in the field of media education. Self-report questionnaires on receiving and committing online hate and on technical and assertive coping were completed by 1,480 young people between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.21 years; SD = 1.68). Results showed that increases in being the recipient of online hate were positively related to being a perpetrator of online hate. Technical and assertive coping strategies were negatively related to perpetrating online hate. Furthermore, victims of online hate reported less instances of perpetrating online hate when they reported higher levels of technical and assertive coping strategies, and more frequent instances of perpetrating online hate when they reported lower levels of technical and assertive coping strategies. In conclusion, our findings suggest that, if they are to be effective, prevention and intervention programs that target online hate should consider educating young people in problem-focused coping strategies.
Highlights
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs concluded that Online hate represents a risk for self-determination as well as peaceful coexistence (KMK 2018)
The present study further advances our understanding of the involvement of young people in Online hate
We found that technical and assertive coping strategies are negatively related to being a perpetrator of Online hate
Summary
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs concluded that Online hate represents a risk for self-determination as well as peaceful coexistence (KMK 2018). Online hate is defined as perpetrating or advocating negative actions through information and communication technologies (ICT) targeted directly at a group or person, or generally shared Online, against someone based on gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. Online hate is perceived as offensive, mean, or threatening, and can be expressed through degrading texts or speech Online, such as posts, comments, text messages, videos, and pictures (Hawdon, Oksanen, and Räsänen 2017; Räsänen et al 2016; Sponholz 2018; UK Safer Internet Centre 2016; Wachs et al 2021). There is some evidence that exposure to Online hate increases during adolescence. Online hate represents a worrying trend, because there is some empirical evidence that exposure to Online hate material can impact adolescents’ well-being and psychological functioning (Tynes et al 2008; Sinclair et al 2012)
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