We don’t like your type around here: Regional and residential differences in exposure to online hate material targeting sexuality

ABSTRACT

What factors are related to online targeting of hate material based to sexual orientation? This study addresses that question, utilizing a sample of 968 Internet users aged 15–36. Employing a logistic regression analysis, we find that social network usage, online antagonism, informal online social control, and a lack of online anonymity increase the likelihood of being targeted. Moreover, individuals living in the southern region of the United States are nearly three times as likely to be targeted by hate related to sexual orientation, whereas those living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to face such targeting.

Disclaimer

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.

Notes

¹ It should be noted that Missouri was claimed by the both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by Award No. 2014-ZA-BX-0014, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Notes on contributors

Matthew Costello

DR. MATTHEW COSTELLO is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Assistant Professor in the Criminology, Sociology, and Geography Department at Arkansas State University. His research interests include online extremism, political sociology, and collective violence. He has published in the areas of online extremism, terrorism, and Middle Eastern studies. Email: [email protected]

Joseph Rukus

DR. JOSEPH RUKUS is an Assistant Professor of Criminology at Arkansas State University. He earned his PhD from the University of Florida. In addition, he holds a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University, a BA in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University, and a BSBA in Finance from Xavier University. His research focusses on criminological social justice issues in a rural context. Email: [email protected]

James Hawdon

DR. JAMES HAWDON is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech. In addition to his research on online hate groups and extremism, his research focuses on how communities influence patterns of violence and the response to tragedies. He has published extensively in the areas of cybercrime, violence, the sociology of drugs, policing, media studies, and moral panics. Email: [email protected]