From Bystanders to Perpetrators: The Influence of Normative Perceptions and Cognitive Empathy on Online Hate in Korea

Online hate is an increasingly concerning phenomenon in the digital media landscape. This research investigates the process by which observers of online hate transition into active hate perpetrators, focusing on the roles of social norms and cognitive empathy. Longitudinal data collected from a two-wave panel survey in Korea show that frequent observations of online hate heighten the perceived prevalence (descriptive norms) and acceptance (injunctive norms) of such behavior. While cognitive empathy diminished the mediating role of injunctive norms in the relationship between observation and perpetration, it unexpectedly amplified the mediating role of descriptive norms. These findings highlight how the effect of normative perceptions on behavior varies based on individuals’ empathy levels. This research provides a foundation for a more systematic understanding of the mechanisms through which observers of online hate become perpetrators and for the development of strategies to combat online hate, fostering a more respectful digital environment.