Identity-Based Online Hate Content

Abstract

The content which is expressed over the internet and its associated social media based on any of the protected characteristics like gender, religion, race, and disability is referred to online hate content. This article aims to examine the user responses on online hate content and determine the predictors of on online hate content. With an objective to identify the determinants of online hate content, the data has been collected from 716 internet users using research instrument designed for the purpose. Both online and offline modes are used for collecting the data. A comprehensive analysis is made using partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) package from an open-source software R. The analysis of structural model revealed that the attitude and opinions towards different protected characteristics such as gender, religion, race and disability are influencers of online hate content. Further, the analysis of measurement models revealed the role of measuring indicators.