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