Journal article
Unpacking the complexity of online incivility: an analysis of characteristics and impact of uncivil behavior during the Hong Kong protests
Internet research, Vol.35(3), pp.1330-1352
05/27/2025
DOI: 10.1108/INTR-12-2023-1169
Abstract
Purpose This study seeks to establish a new framework for categorizing incivility, differentiating between explicit and implicit forms, and to investigate their respective abilities to proliferate and mobilize conversations, along with behavioral outcomes in various social contexts. Design/methodology/approach Employing computational techniques, this research analyzed 10,145 protest-related threads from the HK Golden Forum, a prominent online discussion board in Hong Kong. Findings Our analysis revealed divergent effects of explicit and implicit incivility on their diffusion, influences on deliberative discussions, and user participation. Explicit incivility was found to impede deliberative conversations, while implicit incivility tended to provoke more responses. Explicit uncivil expressions encouraged the propagation of incivility but reduced the likelihood of individual involvement. In contrast, implicit incivility had a stronger dampening effect on further uncivil comments and achieved greater thread popularity. The results showed strong associations between uncivil expressions and the contextual norms surrounding social movements. Originality/value Theoretically, this research introduced a classification of incivility and underscored the importance of differentiating between implicit and explicit incivility by examining their effects on deliberation and engagement. Although previous studies have extensively covered explicit incivility, this study goes further by analyzing implicit incivility and comparing both forms of uncivil discourse in a less-studied context. Methodologically, the study developed a Cantonese dictionary to differentiate between two types of incivility, providing a practical reference for more nuanced analyses. By revealing how varying movement norms moderate the interplay between deliberative and uncivil expressions, the study drew attention to the highly situational nature of incivility.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Unpacking the complexity of online incivility: an analysis of characteristics and impact of uncivil behavior during the Hong Kong protests
- Creators
- Baiqi Li - Hong Kong Baptist UniversityYunya Song - Hong Kong Baptist UniversityYongren Shi - University of IowaHsuan-Ting Chen - Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Internet research, Vol.35(3), pp.1330-1352
- DOI
- 10.1108/INTR-12-2023-1169
- ISSN
- 1066-2243
- Publisher
- EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
- Grant note
- Research Grant Council of Hong Kong: HKBU 12605520 Hong Kong Baptist University: RC-FNRA-IG-21-22-COMF-01 National Science Foundation of the United States: 2048670
This study was funded by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong (No: HKBU 12605520), the Initiation Grant for Faculty Niche Research Areas (No: RC-FNRA-IG-21-22-COMF-01) of Hong Kong Baptist University and the National Science Foundation of the United States (2048670).
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/22/2024
- Date published
- 05/27/2025
- Academic Unit
- Sociology and Criminology
- Record Identifier
- 9984738557602771
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