38% of students report exposure to online hate speech in the past year

A recent study conducted by the Alexander College Research Centre in Larnaca reveals that 38% of students in Cyprus have been exposed to online hate speech within the last year. Presented by Dr. Costas Christodoulides, the research highlights the urgent need for policy reforms and targeted educational interventions to combat digital hostility. Social media platforms and online gaming environments were identified as the primary channels for the dissemination of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic content. The findings also indicate that 12% of the surveyed students admitted to actively producing or sharing hate speech online. While Cyprus has updated its legal framework to address racism and xenophobia, researchers point out significant protection gaps for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. The study emphasizes that the anonymity and algorithmic nature of digital platforms significantly facilitate the spread of such harmful rhetoric among young populations.