2022 Research Workshop on Studying Anti-Social Behaviour Online
Join us online OR in-person in Victoria, BC on Thu, Aug 25, 2022
Where: RRU campus, Center for Dialogue in the Sequoia building (formerly known as the Learning and Innovation Centre).
The event is organized by the Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University and Royal Roads University.
It’s supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Royal Roads University.
The rising tide of online anti-social behaviour has elevated public concern and skepticism over the perceived benefits and promise of social media in society. A dark side of social media has emerged and remains evident today, with various countries, governing bodies, and citizens grappling with the impending normalization of aggressive behaviour, hostility, and negative discourse in online spaces. At the individual level, anti-social behaviour on social media has real-life psychological and emotional consequences for everyday people that demand more precise attention and interventions from researchers, practitioners, social media platforms, and policymakers. At the community and organizational level, anti-social behaviour can impact work performance and relationships, community ties, and lead to stress and burnout. At the societal level, there is also a concern that some forms of anti-social behaviour, such as hate speech, may galvanize xenophobic behaviour offline.
The research workshop will (1) examine the factors influencing the manifestation and propagation of online anti-social behaviour, (2) synthesize a multidisciplinary approach to study this phenomenon, and (3) develop a road map and a research agenda for future work in combating this dangerous trend.
8:30 – 9:00 Morning Coffee Reception
10:30-11:00 Break
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch Break (Lunch provided courtesy of Royal Roads University)
3:00-3:15 Break
4:00-4:15 Concluding Remarks & Adjournment