Understanding Incels’ Online Behaviour and Perceptions of Hateful Content

Recent years have seen an increase in awareness and concern about incels, or involuntarily celibate men, particularly because of the large-scale public violence (and attempted violence) often associated with the group. As the public, law enforcement, and non-profit agencies turn their attention to incels, the content on their forums and online communities does little to assuage panic. Rather, the often racist, misogynistic, violent, homophobic, and antisemitic rhetoric confirms and exacerbates what many already believe about incels. At best, the online behaviour of incels leads many to view incels as hateful communities. At worst, incels are perceived as violent and terroristic.      

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