EXTREMISM AND VIOLENCE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO HATE SPEECH IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT: AN APPLIED THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE CITY OF HAIL AS A MODEL

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between online hate speech and the prevalence of extremism and violence in the virtual environment, using the city of Hail as a model case study. Hate speech, extremism and violence are interlinked with each other and effects the psychological health of an individual. The study used a quantitative approach to conduct the study. A survey was used to collect data from the participants of the study using a 5 point Likert scale. Through the use of SPSS, the data was analyzed to obtain nuanced analysis of the problem at hand. The results of the data revealed that respondents are exposed to hate speech in the virtual environments, their images and videos are used to tarnish their reputation in the virtual environment, they also observer reciprocity when exposed to virtual environments, and the respondents reported that extremism and violence had social and psychological impact. The results revealed that extremism, violence, and hate speech are observed in the virtual environment.