With digital services growing both in number and versatility, it can appear that cyberbullying, trolling, and various forms of online harassment have become more pervasive than in the analog era. But is this indeed the case, or has our improved ability to capture instances of humiliation in the form of digital footprints made the problem more visible and easier to trace? This course delves into the pervasiveness and psychological implications of various forms of online harassment by surveying social science research on the issue. We will examine offline bullying as the analog predecessor to cyberbullying and we will do so in the contexts of adult as well as youth populations. What are the differences among various types of online harassment? What are the causes and policy and legal consequences of such behavior? Do solutions reside in the realm of regulation or in understanding cultural roots of humiliation as a violation of human dignity? After taking this course, students will have gained an advanced understanding of platform politics and the power dynamics in new media environments. Consequently, students will be able to apply this sophisticated understanding when developing policy recommendations in their own fields of work. Having in mind that platforms are involved in every aspect of daily life, understanding how they operate and the broader social implications of their operation will help students interested in jobs with various online platforms, positions in non-governmental organizations that address these issues, or relevant government positions. (Lecturer: Tijana Milosevic)
