A recent study published in the journal Crime Science explores the relationship between online hate speech victimisation and its impact on victims’ feelings of insecurity outside the Internet. The study utilised a representative population survey from Lower Saxony, Germany, involving 4,102 participants to examine how experiences of hate speech, both online and offline, affect individuals’ sense of security. Researchers tested three hypotheses focusing on the differential impact of online and offline hate speech on feelings of insecurity, incorporating control variables such as gender, age, migration background, urban or rural living environment, and social support to refine their analysis.
Findings reveal a significant distinction between the effects of online hate speech and other forms of cybercrime. Victims of online hate speech reported a pronounced feeling of insecurity outside the Internet, unlike victims of other cybercrimes. Interestingly, the study found no significant impact from offline hate speech on feelings of insecurity when controlling for relevant variables. This outcome suggests unique characteristics of online hate speech, such as its uncontrollable spread and penetration into victims’ private spaces, exacerbating feelings of insecurity.
The research confirmed that experiencing online hate speech increases feelings of insecurity outside the Internet, more so than offline hate speech or a combination of both. This finding underscores the pervasive impact of online hate speech, challenging the boundaries between online and offline experiences and highlighting the need for interventions to support victims.
The study’s emphasis on the transfer of insecurity from online to offline realms points to the interconnectedness of these domains and the importance of addressing the psychological impacts of online hate speech. It calls for comprehensive efforts to mitigate online hate speech and its ramifications, including increased awareness, stronger laws, and collaborations between online platforms and law enforcement to protect individuals’ well-being and security.