On April 7–9, 2025, the 2nd International Scientific Conference entitled “Multidimensionality of Cybersecurity – Hate Speech in the Cyberworld” was held in Warsaw, Poland. The Conference was successfully organized by our partner Helena Chodkowska University of Technology and Economics. Scientists, researchers and practitioners dealing with cybersecurity, law and hate speech, as well as representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations, shed light on contemporary challenges and debates related to cybersecurity and the growing phenomenon of hate speech in the digital space. The event comprised academics from Cyprus, the Czech Republic, India, Latvia, Ukraine, the USA, Italy, and Poland.

An interdisciplinary research team from Alexander College presented original research in the Conference proceedings, under the theme “Online Hate Speech in Cyprus: Exposure and Perpetration in a Sample of HEI Students.” New findings about exposure and perpetration of online hate speech in a sample of student population in Cyprus were presented at the Conference. More than one third of the sample (38.5%) was exposed in the last 12 months to hateful or degrading writings or speech online that attacked certain groups of people or individuals. Importantly, 13.5% of the sample reported that during the last 12 months they had produced or shared online material that others would likely interpret as hateful or degrading.

Lastly, according to the survey, online hate speech was seen by respondents in a variety of platforms, such as:

  • Social Media Platforms (58.5%) — identified as a prominent enabler of hate speech

  • Random web pages (21.5%)

  • Online news platforms (12.8%)

  • Online video games and related chat forums (6%)

The sample consisted of 178 Higher Education students in Cyprus, with a balance between Cypriot and international students, 70% of whom were male (30% female). 43% of the sample self-identified as “White”, 40% as Asian, while the rest pointed to other ethnicities. Research outcomes recommend the need for public campaigns on hate speech and other measures.

The research team consists of Dr. Costas Christodoulides, Dr. Leandros Savvides, Amanda Dingli, George Nicou, Dr. Pavlos Evangelides, Dr. Anthony Chabarekh, and Stefanos Christodoulides.