A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book

From online hate speech to offline hate crime? Testing individual-level associations with a nationally representative sample of adolescents aged 15-17




AuthorsKaakinen, Markus; Vauhkonen, Teemu; Vepsäläinen, Janne; Räsänen, Pekka

EditorsJames Hawdon, Matthew Costello

PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing Ltd.

Publication year2024

Book title Research Handbook on Hate and Hate Crimes in Society

Journal name in sourceResearch Handbook on Hate and Hate Crimes in Society

First page 250

Last page262

ISBN978-1-80392-572-1

eISBN978-1-80392-573-8

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4337/9781803925738.00021(external)

Web address https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803925738.00021(external)


Abstract
This chapter investigates the relationship between online hate speech and offline hate crimes among Finnish adolescents (N = 5,652), aged 15-17. Utilizing nationally representative data from spring 2020, findings indicate a positive correlation between engaging in online hate speech and committing offline hate crimes. Moreover, exposure to hate speech from peers is linked to offline hate crimes among youth with strong intolerant views toward cultural diversity. The study highlights that adolescents involved in offline hate crimes are likely to participate in online hate speech, especially within peer networks that produce such content. The influence of peer-produced hate speech on offline hate crime perpetration is particularly significant among those already reporting intolerant attitudes. This suggests that existing prejudices may amplify the impact of online hate speech on offline behaviors.



Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:27