In order to determine who is likely to be a target of online hate and extremism, this study used an online survey (N = 963) of youth and young adults recruited from a demographically balanced sample of Americans.
The study adapted routine activity theory in distinguishing between actor-initiated social control (i.e., self-help), other-initiated social control (i.e., collective efficacy), and guardianship and shows how self-help is positively related to the likelihood of being targeted by hate. The findings highlight how online exposure to hate materials, target suitability, and enacting social control online all influence being the target of hate. Using social networking sites and encountering hate material online have a particularly strong relationship with being targeted with victim suitability (e.g., discussing private matters online, participating in hate online) and confronting hate also influencing the likelihood of being the target of hate speech. 76 references (Publisher abstract modified)