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Associations between Bystanders and Perpetrators of Online Hate: The Moderating Role of Toxic Online Disinhibition

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Wachs

    (Department of Educational Studies, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Michelle F. Wright

    (Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
    Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Hatred directed at members of groups due to their origin, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation is not new, but it has taken on a new dimension in the online world. To date, very little is known about online hate among adolescents. It is also unknown how online disinhibition might influence the association between being bystanders and being perpetrators of online hate. Thus, the present study focused on examining the associations among being bystanders of online hate, being perpetrators of online hate, and the moderating role of toxic online disinhibition in the relationship between being bystanders and perpetrators of online hate. In total, 1480 students aged between 12 and 17 years old were included in this study. Results revealed positive associations between being online hate bystanders and perpetrators, regardless of whether adolescents had or had not been victims of online hate themselves. The results also showed an association between toxic online disinhibition and online hate perpetration. Further, toxic online disinhibition moderated the relationship between being bystanders of online hate and being perpetrators of online hate. Implications for prevention programs and future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Wachs & Michelle F. Wright, 2018. "Associations between Bystanders and Perpetrators of Online Hate: The Moderating Role of Toxic Online Disinhibition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:2030-:d:170366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William Boyce & Torbjorn Torsheim & Candace Currie & Alessio Zambon, 2006. "The Family Affluence Scale as a Measure of National Wealth: Validation of an Adolescent Self-Report Measure," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(3), pages 473-487, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sebastian Wachs & Michelle F. Wright & Ruthaychonnee Sittichai & Ritu Singh & Ramakrishna Biswal & Eun-mee Kim & Soeun Yang & Manuel Gámez-Guadix & Carmen Almendros & Katerina Flora & Vassiliki Daskal, 2019. "Associations between Witnessing and Perpetrating Online Hate in Eight Countries: The Buffering Effects of Problem-Focused Coping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Revital Sela-Shayovitz & Michal Levy & Jonathan Hasson, 2024. "The Role of Self-Control in Cyberbullying Bystander Behavior," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Pablo Madriaza & Ghayda Hassan & Sébastien Brouillette‐Alarie & Aoudou Njingouo Mounchingam & Loïc Durocher‐Corfa & Eugene Borokhovski & David Pickup & Sabrina Paillé, 2025. "Exposure to hate in online and traditional media: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the impact of this exposure on individuals and communities," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(1), March.
    4. Sebastian Wachs & Juan Manuel Machimbarrena & Michelle F. Wright & Manuel Gámez-Guadix & Soeun Yang & Ruthaychonnee Sittichai & Ritu Singh & Ramakrishna Biswal & Katerina Flora & Vassiliki Daskalou & , 2022. "Associations between Coping Strategies and Cyberhate Involvement: Evidence from Adolescents across Three World Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Wang, Lin & Jiang, Shan & Zhou, Ziyao & Fei, Wanyan & Wang, Wanyi, 2024. "Online disinhibition and adolescent cyberbullying: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Nigel Harriman & Neil Shortland & Max Su & Tyler Cote & Marcia A. Testa & Elena Savoia, 2020. "Youth Exposure to Hate in the Online Space: An Exploratory Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Magdalena Celuch & Atte Oksanen & Pekka Räsänen & Matthew Costello & Catherine Blaya & Izabela Zych & Vicente J. Llorent & Ashley Reichelmann & James Hawdon, 2022. "Factors Associated with Online Hate Acceptance: A Cross-National Six-Country Study among Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, January.

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