Investigating and Understanding Online Haters: A Qualitative Analysis of Social Media Hate Crimes in Poland

• In Event: Online Extremism and Hate Speech

Abstract

This presentation highlights the key findings of an empirical study on the mechanisms, motivations, and challenges in investigating and prosecuting online hate speech crimes in Poland. The primary objective is to explore the modalities of perpetrating hate speech on social media and the efficacy of law enforcement strategies in addressing such offenses. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology, scrutinizing files from adjudicated criminal cases involving hate speech acts on various social media platforms. Key findings reveal a predominant pattern among perpetrators, characterized as 'spontaneous amateurs,' driven largely by transient emotions, often intensified by external factors like alcohol or peer influence. These attributes align with the strain and self-control criminological theories of crime, suggesting an impulsive nature of online hate speech activities. The study also underscores two main investigative approaches used by Polish authorities: collaboration with website administrators and telecommunications companies, and open-source data analysis from user profiles. Crucially, it is observed that the success of these investigations largely hinges on the perpetrators' own operational choices, such as anonymity tools and platform selection. Future research will continue to analyze additional cases to better contribute to the criminological understanding of cybercrime in the context of social media.

Author

• Piotr Lewulis, University of Warsaw