We are pleased to announce the inclusion of the collective research of academics of Alexander College in the edited specialized volume “Multidimensionality of Cybersecurity-Hate Speech in the Cyberworld”, Uczelnia Techniczno-Handlowa im publications. Heleny Chodkowskiej. The research paper of Costas Christodoulides, Leandros Savvides, Pavlos Evangelides, Amanda Diglis, Giorgos Nikou and Anthony Chabarekh provide evidence on “Exposure and Perpetration of Internet Hate Speech in Cyprus”. It was presented in April 2025, at a relevant International scientific conference of the UTH University, organized under the auspices of the Polish Ministry of Digitalization. See the study here:
Summary:
Exponential development of digital communication and adaptation to new platforms has led to the increase of online hate speech. This paper assesses exposure to and perpetration of online hate in the context of Cyprus. Hate speech in digital environments is explored from a multi-pronged perspective, including social, legal and social media/ gaming approaches. Social and legal literature in the field of online hate speech with special reference to social media and video gaming was reviewed, and the existing legal framework in Cyprus was critically discussed. An online anonymised questionnaire was devised and administered to a sample (n=178) of HEI (Higher Education Institutions) 134 Costas Christodoulides, Leandros Savvides, Pavlos Evangelides, Amanda Dingli, Giorgos Nicou, Anthony Chabarekh students in Cyprus. Through the survey, students self-reported in commonly used items, measuring exposure to and perpetration of online hate. The participants in the study were provided with a European Union’s definition of online hate speech prior to filling in the online questionnaire. The findings provide evidence of significant levels of exposure to online hate (38.5%) and noticeable levels of production and/or sharing of hate speech (12%), while statistical analyses reveal some differences associated with the variable of race/ethnicity. Given an increased centrality of digital communication and associated platforms, further and deeper research must guide an enhanced new and robust policy framework, to address the root cause of the problem.