HATRED IN CYBERSPACE: ON THE CZECH REPUBLIC ADOLESCENT’S EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Relevance. The study aimed to examine the experience of Czech adolescents with cyberhate as observers, victims and perpetrators. In addition, the study focused on parents and guardians of adolescents, their exposure to cyberhate, and knowledge of their children's victimization through cyberhate. Methodology. Sample: In total, 3,087 Czech adolescents aged 11-16 (49.8% - girls) and their parents or caregivers (67.0% - women) were interviewed. Methods. An online survey (CAWI method) was used to collect the data. The survey was conducted by the media research agency STEM/MARK. Results. The results show that cyberbullying was the most common occurrence among adolescents (59.3%). The experience increased with age, and its prevalence was highest among 15-16-year-old respondents. Boys and older adolescents reported intentionally seeking out cyberhate more often than girls and younger. The majority of adolescents reported being exposed to cyberhate unintentionally. Reports of cyberhate victimization also increased with age, but no significant gender differences were found. The most common reason for cyberhate victimization was sexual orientation. Only a minority of respondents (7.5%) reported being cyberbullied, and this was the least common experience. Also in this case, the most common reason for cyber-hate was sexual orientation. The results show that parents and caregivers tend to underestimate their children's victimization experiences. Only a minority of them knew what had happened to their child