Internet-related risks from the perspective of Polish adolescents with a focus on hate speech

Abstract

The aim of the study was to present the main threats related to the use of the Internet by the Polish youth and to analyse them with particular emphasis on issues related to hate speech. Using the Internet, apart from its undoubted usability, brings with it a number of threats, among which are: malware (including spyware, ransomware, “crypto-miners” and adware), invasion of privacy (both by private individuals (stalking) and advertising companies), phishing, spam, hate speech, paedophilia, human trafficking, cyber-bullying, and, less frequently, targeted attacks. According to the survey, nearly 70% of the respondents encountered threats on the Internet. The phenomenon of hate speech affects 37% of respondents who fell victim to it and 18% who practised hate speech.