SELF-CONTROL LIMITATIONS IN MITIGATING HATE SPEECH: ROLE TOXIC ONLINE DISINHIBITION AMONG GENERATION Z ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to analyze the influence of toxic online disinhibition on hate speech behavior and to test self-control as a moderator in the influence of toxic online disinhibition on hate speech behavior among Generation Z social media users, using a quantitative approach with SEM-PLS analysis and collecting data from 215 Generation Z respondents. The sampling method used is purposive sampling. The research instrument uses a hate speech scale with a Cronbach alpha of 0.923, a toxic online disinhibition scale with a Cronbach alpha of 0.820, and a self-control scale with a Cronbach alpha of 0.81. The results of this study indicate a positive and significant influence of toxic online disinhibition on hate speech behavior with a significance value of 0.000 (p-value <0.05). The higher the level of disinhibition of individuals on social media, the greater the tendency for individuals to express aggressive communication such as insults, provocation, or hate speech on social media. Furthermore, self-control has also been proven to play a moderating role in the influence of toxic online disinhibition on hate speech, with a significance value of 0.036 (p-value <0.05) with an R² contribution of 0.45 (45%). This study found that high self-control actually strengthens the influence of toxic online disinhibition and hate speech. The study results contribute to understanding that self-control does not always function as a deterrent to aggressive behavior on social media.