INTERNET HATE AS AN INSULT AND DEFAMATION

Abstract

The development of modern technologies and the digitization of society contributed to the emergence of a negative social phenomenon such as internet hate. The modus operandi of Internet haters, consisting in posting critical, ridiculing, insulting statements with the use of Internet tools, results in a deceptive belief in the perpetrator’s impunity, which is why Internet hate has been hailed as a modern trend of the Internet environment, having a negative impact on society. Therefore, the doctrine raised the question whether the legislator should not penalize it due to the scale of internet hate. The aim of this article is to analyze the tools proposed by the current wording of criminal law, allowing for an effective fight against the above social phenomenon. The author will analyze the types of crimes, the features of which can be fulfilled by internet hate, focusing her attention on the values protected by the criminal law system. In the course of the publication, an attempt will be made to answer the question whether the current wording of the provisions of the Penal Code sufficiently penalizes, prevents and enables the prosecution of perpetrators of internet hate, or whether it is necessary to introduce changes to the content of the Penal Code.