Too much of what? Two-wave panel evidence for selective
(de-)sensitization through frequent exposure to different
kinds of digital hate

Too much of what? Two-wave panel evidence for selective
(de-)sensitization through frequent exposure to different
kinds of digital hate

digital hate, user intervention, content moderation, desensitization, free speech.

Digital hate has become an inevitable aspect of daily life for social media users, constituting a formidable societal challenge. Despite broad con-
sensus of related harms, researchers have struggled to predict users’ intervening activity and moderation preferences, especially given that

they are subject to temporal changes. A two-wave panel survey was conducted to investigate how exposure frequency to incivility, intolerance,
and threats is associated over time with (de-)sensitization regarding perceived severity, different intervention activities, and content moderation
preferences, while also considering free-speech attitudes as a moderating factor. Results provide evidence for both consistent and selective

(de-)sensitization over time across response and hate types. Most notably and contrary to popular desensitization narratives, users demon-
strated heightened awareness and engagement when confronted with hateful content more frequently, actively intervening through reactions,

comments, or private messages. Overall, these findings give reason for hope that users may become increasingly sensitive and engaged in
combating digital hate.

Rinat Meerson1,� , Kevin Koban1 , and Jorg € Matthes1

https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmaf002

Oxford University Press on behalf of International Communication Association.

31 December 2024

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