Abstract
Criminological research on cyberspace has traditionally concentrated on policing and forensic investigation of illegal acts, often within narrow legalistic frameworks. Yet such approaches overlook a wide range of harmful online behaviours that, while not always criminal, produce significant social, psychological, and financial detriment. Antisocial behaviour and toxic communication online (ABTCO) – including information pollution, antagonistic practices, and the circulation of false or misleading content – illustrates how ideologies embedded in media systems can manipulate perception, reinforce propaganda, and normalize harm. Grounded in sociolegal and criminological inquiry but developed within a major interdisciplinary study encompassing media theory, this research examines ABTCO as a contemporary societal issue that remains insufficiently challenged and regulated. More specifically, it focuses on the structural characteristics of social media platforms and messaging apps, analysing both the features that enable or facilitate ABTCO and the measures adopted to mitigate its harms. Using an adapted “crime proofing” approach, the study investigates a selection of widely used platforms and messaging apps, considering, in a longitudinal analysis, their terms and conditions, default settings, functionalities, and reporting procedures in relation to regional and international directives. Overall, this contribution traces the evolution of these platforms and assesses the impact of regulatory interventions and policy changes on their role as potential enablers of ABTCO. By situating this inquiry at the intersection of criminology and media theory, the project underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to comprehend and counter the ideological manipulation, propaganda, and social harms inherent in digital communication.
Presenters
Anita LavorgnaAssociate Professor, Political and Social Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Digital harms; Antisocial behaviour; Toxic communication; Propaganda; Social media regulation
