Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by increased vulnerability to online hate speech (OHS), which refers to hostile expressions targeting specific minority group characteristics (i.e., ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation) in digital spaces. However, research on the psychological factors motivating adolescents to intervene against OHS remains limited. This study aims to explore how empathy, self-efficacy in addressing OHS and meaning in life predict adolescents' willingness to counteract OHS in everyday life. Empathy, defined as the ability to understand and share others' feelings (Eisenberg, 2005), increases concern for those targeted by hate speech (Wachs et al., 2022). Self-efficacy in confronting OHS refers to an individual’s confidence in their ability to tackle hate content, such as by posting counter-comments or reporting it. Individuals with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage in counterspeech (Krieger et al., 2018). Additionally, research highlights the significance of meaning in life, understood as the way individuals make sense of their existence and perceive a purpose or mission (Steger, 2009). A strong sense of meaning in life has been linked to contributing to collective well-being by fulfilling basic psychological needs (Martela et al., 2018) and promoting prosocial behaviors as counteracting OHS. This study uses an intensive longitudinal design to examine the independent and interactive contribution of these factors to active behaviors among OHS bystanders. We will collect 28-day daily diaries from a sample of adolescents (9th and 10th grade) from different Italian regions, measuring the above variables and monitoring behaviors such as reporting hate content, engaging in counter-discourse, and promoting respectful online interactions. By analyzing these behaviors over time, the study will offer valuable insights into the factors that drive online defensive actions in adolescents’ daily lives, helping to shape future educational interventions for safer digital spaces.
Psychological Factors Influencing Adolescents' Willingness to Counteract Online Hate Speech: The Role of Empathy, Self-Efficacy, and Meaning in Life as part of the symposium "The Faces of Online Hate Speech: Who Is Exposed, Who Stands Up, and Who Pays the Price?" / Di Brango, Noemi; Corbelli, Giuseppe; Virzì, Alessia Teresa; Contreras, Camila; Verbena, Serena; Fu, Yuanhang; Mariotto, Michela; Ioverno, Salvatore; Emanuela Palladino, Benedetta; Zuffiano, Antonio. - (2025). (Intervento presentato al convegno European Developmental Psychology Conference tenutosi a Vilnius, Lithuania).
Psychological Factors Influencing Adolescents' Willingness to Counteract Online Hate Speech: The Role of Empathy, Self-Efficacy, and Meaning in Life as part of the symposium "The Faces of Online Hate Speech: Who Is Exposed, Who Stands Up, and Who Pays the Price?"
Noemi Di Brango;Giuseppe Corbelli;Alessia Teresa Virzì;Camila Contreras;Yuanhang Fu;Salvatore Ioverno;Antonio Zuffiano
2025
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by increased vulnerability to online hate speech (OHS), which refers to hostile expressions targeting specific minority group characteristics (i.e., ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation) in digital spaces. However, research on the psychological factors motivating adolescents to intervene against OHS remains limited. This study aims to explore how empathy, self-efficacy in addressing OHS and meaning in life predict adolescents' willingness to counteract OHS in everyday life. Empathy, defined as the ability to understand and share others' feelings (Eisenberg, 2005), increases concern for those targeted by hate speech (Wachs et al., 2022). Self-efficacy in confronting OHS refers to an individual’s confidence in their ability to tackle hate content, such as by posting counter-comments or reporting it. Individuals with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage in counterspeech (Krieger et al., 2018). Additionally, research highlights the significance of meaning in life, understood as the way individuals make sense of their existence and perceive a purpose or mission (Steger, 2009). A strong sense of meaning in life has been linked to contributing to collective well-being by fulfilling basic psychological needs (Martela et al., 2018) and promoting prosocial behaviors as counteracting OHS. This study uses an intensive longitudinal design to examine the independent and interactive contribution of these factors to active behaviors among OHS bystanders. We will collect 28-day daily diaries from a sample of adolescents (9th and 10th grade) from different Italian regions, measuring the above variables and monitoring behaviors such as reporting hate content, engaging in counter-discourse, and promoting respectful online interactions. By analyzing these behaviors over time, the study will offer valuable insights into the factors that drive online defensive actions in adolescents’ daily lives, helping to shape future educational interventions for safer digital spaces.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
