There is a constant in the dynamics of online interaction between users on different platforms, even in toxic interactions.
And this despite the evolution of platforms over the decades and social norms.
It is the result of a study by the Center for Data Science and Complexity for Society at the Department of Computer Science of the Sapienza University of Rome, coordinated by Walter Quattrociocchi and published in the journal Nature.
In particular, the study compared different platforms - from Facebook, Reddit, Gab, Youtube to the less recent Usnet on more than 500 million comments - to explore the crucial aspects relating to the persistence of "toxic" interactions in digital communities.
Key elements identified by researchers include the length of conversations, with prolonged discussions more prone to toxicity, and polarization, when divergent viewpoints lead to an escalation of disagreement online.
Surprisingly, toxic interactions do not act as a deterrent to user engagement, who continue to actively participate in conversations.
This indicates a complex interaction between harmful content and participation in online debates, suggesting user resilience to negativity in digital environments.
"This research represents a significant progress in understanding online social dynamics - explains Quattrociocchi - and how these are influenced by algorithms, going beyond the focus on individual platforms. The results underline the broad implications of algorithmic influence on social interactions. The study - concludes the researcher - highlights the fundamental importance of data science in analyzing and interpreting human behavior online, confirming that toxic behavior is a deeply rooted aspect of digital interactions".
“The study of digital communication and the dynamics that revolve around new media is a highly topical topic that requires rigorous analysis, given the numerous implications that derive from it – states the rector Antonella Polimeni – Sapienza can boast very high profile researchers who they study the many aspects of communication.
This publication, in a prestigious journal like Nature, confirms and consolidates the quality of the University's research activities also in this field: an important recognition for the team coordinated by Walter Quattrociocchi and for the entire University".
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