How online inhibition fuels incivility through moral disengagement

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of moral disengagement in the link between online disinhibition and cyber incivility, against the backdrop of digital technology’s profound impact on human communication and the emergence of online communities. This transformation has highlighted a range of behaviors, including the negative spectrum of cyber incivility, necessitating an exploration of its underlying dynamics. Utilizing a mediation analysis approach, the research examined the interplay among online disinhibition, moral disengagement, and cyber incivility. The participant consisted of 780 Indonesian students, with an average age of 20.3 years, who reported spending 4-7 hours daily on social media. The study was conducted via an online survey distributed to participants. Moral disengagement was assessed using a Moral Disengagement Scale, cyber incivility was measured with a purpose-built scale, and online disinhibition was evaluated using the Online Disinhibition Scale to measure levels of online disinhibition. Findings indicated a significant correlation among the variables, with a substantial portion of participants exhibiting moderate to high levels of online disinhibition, moral disengagement, and cyber incivility. Mediation analysis further revealed that online disinhibition mediated the relationship between moral disengagement and cyber incivility, suggesting that the lowering of inhibitions online facilitates the manifestation of uncivil behavior, influenced by moral disengagement. This study underscores the complex mechanisms driving cyber incivility, highlighting the crucial mediating role of online disinhibition between moral disengagement and cyber incivility. These insights contribute to the broader understanding of digital communication’s impact on behavior, emphasizing the need to address online disinhibition and moral disengagement to mitigate cyber incivility.