The Online Hate Speech Cycle of Violence

Moderating Effects of Moral Disengagement and Empathy in the Victim-to-Perpetrator Relationship

Bibliographic Data

ID22004232
AuthorsSebastian Wach (0000-0003-2787-6646, University of Potsdam, corresponding author), Ludwig Bilz (0000-0003-3017-0492, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg), Alexander Wettstein (0000-0002-5612-3144, Pädagogische Hochschule Bern), Michelle F Wright (0000-0002-6703-8586, DePaul University), Norman Krause (0000-0002-6909-9403, University of Potsdam), Cindy Ballaschk (0000-0001-7860-6123, University of Potsdam), Julia Kansok‐Dusche (0000-0002-8085-4027, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg), Julia Kansok-Dusche (Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg)
Year2022
Volume25
Issue4
Pages223-229
Publication date2022-02-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2152-2715 • E-ISSN: 2152-2723
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/cyber.2021.0159
PMID35172113
OpenAlexW4213019065
LanguageEN
Citations received22
References cited34

Adolescents around the globe are increasingly exposed to online hate speech (OHS). And yet little is known about the varying roles of involvement and the determinants of adolescents' hate speech perpetration. Building on previous research, this study aims to test the cycle of violence hypothesis for OHS and to analyze whether moral disengagement (MD) and empathy moderate the victim-to-perpetrator relationship. The sample consists of 3,560 seventh to ninth graders (52.1 percent girls), recruited from 40 schools across Germany and Switzerland. Self-report questionnaires were administered to assess OHS involvement, MD, and empathy. Multilevel analyses revealed that victims of OHS were more likely to report OHS perpetration. In addition, victims of OHS were more likely to report OHS perpetration when they reported higher levels of MD than those with lower levels of MD. Finally, victims of OHS were less likely to report OHS perpetration when they reported higher levels of empathy than those with lower levels of empathy. The findings extend the cycle of violence hypothesis to OHS and highlight the need to address MD and empathy in hate speech prevention. Implications for future research will be discussed

Cycle of violence · Developmental psychology · Disengagement theory · Empathy · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Clinical Psychology · Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection · Medicine · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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