'Network' (British Sociological Association): new review of 'Hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media: A cross-cultural perspective'

We are pleased to announce that 'Hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media: A cross-cultural perspective' by Luiz Valério P. Trindade has been reviewed by Pragyan Chaturvedi (Banaras Hindu University, India) in 'Network' (British Sociological Association) | Issue 153, Summer 2026. Page 58:

Luiz Valério de Paula Trindade is an eminent scholar in critical media studies and his intellectual oeuvre analyses the intersection of digital communication, race and structural inequality. His “Hate Speech And Abusive Behaviour On Social Media: A Cross-Cultural Perspective” represents an epistemological inquiry into contemporary digital media scholarship. […]
[…] the book is particularly germane for policymakers, scholars, postgraduate students and digital media activists who are interested in regulatory regimes such as platform governance and media regulation. Its epistemic critique and transcultural orientation help in developing holistic understanding of how hate speech asymmetrically influences marginalised communities, thereby jeopardising their democratic values. Holistically, Trindade’s work amounts to a substantive intervention and advances a refined interpretation in critical social media studies for assessing structurally embedded phenomena.

[Extracted from book review published on 'Network' (British Sociological Association) | Issue 153, Summer 2026. Page 58. Reviewer: Pragyan Chaturvedi (Banaras Hindu University, India). https://www.britsoc.co.uk/media/27245/network_summer2026.pdf]

Find out more about the book and order your copy here: Hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media: A cross-cultural perspective

The adverse societal impacts of social media platforms comprise a subject of global concern, given that this digital technology has become a breeding ground for the manifestation of varied forms of online harassment and abuse. Yet, most studies exploring this phenomenon have done so predominantly in Anglophone social contexts (notably, the US and the UK).

Thus, the present work examines hate speech and abusive behaviour adopting an innovative cross-cultural perspective. To this end, the book analyses a sample of 108 scholarly papers originally published in three non-hegemonic languages (Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish) and encompassing 11 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and Spain).

In this context, the development of this study highlights the relevance of considering cultural, historical and linguistic factors when analysing hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media. By confronting and evaluating findings from different countries and languages, the study sheds light on how cultural norms and language use shape the manifestation and impact of online harassment and abuse.

Besides, the study also reveals that social media plays the pivotal dual role of catalyst and vehicle for disseminating hate and abuse. As such, they can bring a series of adverse societal impacts upon individuals, vulnerable social groups, society, and democracy. Ultimately, social media platforms allow offenders the capability to unleash and disseminate aggressive and discriminatory ideologies, attracting numerous like-minded people to subvert and disregard any social convention constraints and norms of conviviality. Consequently, one of social media’s most significant negative impacts is the undermining of social cohesion.

Therefore, the present book is of interest to students, established scholars, and researchers in various disciplines, including sociology, criminology, media and communication studies, and digital humanities. Moreover, it is recommended reading for policymakers, leaders of non-governmental organisations, educators, journalists, and anyone interested in learning more about social media’s impacts on people’s lives.

Title Hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media: A cross-cultural perspective
Edition 1st
ISBN 979-8-8819-0024-3
Published in September 2024