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Xenophobic Bullying and COVID-19: An Exploration Using Big Data and Qualitative Analysis

Author

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  • Karla Dhungana Sainju

    (Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Huda Zaidi

    (Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

  • Niti Mishra

    (Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, 105 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E, Canada)

  • Akosua Kuffour

    (Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada)

Abstract

Extant literature suggests that xenophobic bullying is intensified by isolated national or global events; however, the analysis of such occurrences is methodologically limited to the use of self-reported data. Examining disclosures of racist bullying episodes enables us to contextualize various perspectives that are shared online and generate insights on how COVID-19 has exacerbated the issue. Moreover, understanding the rationale and characteristics present in xenophobic bullying may have important implications for our social wellbeing, mental health, and inclusiveness as a global community both in the short and long term. This study employs a mixed-method approach using Big Data techniques as well as qualitative analysis of xenophobic bullying disclosures on Twitter following the spread of COVID-19. The data suggests that about half of the sample represented xenophobic bullying. The qualitative analysis also found that 64% of xenophobic bullying-related tweets referred to occasions that perpetuated racist stereotypes. Relatedly, the rationale for almost 75% of xenophobic bullying incidents was due to being Chinese or Asian. The findings of this study, coupled with anti-hate reports from around the world, are used to suggest multipronged policy interventions and considerations of how social media sites such as Twitter can be used to curb the spread of misinformation and xenophobic bullying.

Suggested Citation

  • Karla Dhungana Sainju & Huda Zaidi & Niti Mishra & Akosua Kuffour, 2022. "Xenophobic Bullying and COVID-19: An Exploration Using Big Data and Qualitative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4824-:d:794978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebastian Wachs & Michelle F. Wright & Ruthaychonnee Sittichai & Ritu Singh & Ramakrishna Biswal & Eun-mee Kim & Soeun Yang & Manuel Gámez-Guadix & Carmen Almendros & Katerina Flora & Vassiliki Daskal, 2019. "Associations between Witnessing and Perpetrating Online Hate in Eight Countries: The Buffering Effects of Problem-Focused Coping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. So Young Shin & Yeon-Jun Choi, 2021. "Comparison of Cyberbullying before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
    3. Andrew Bacher-Hicks & Joshua Goodman & Jennifer Greif Green & Melissa K. Holt, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Both School Bullying and Cyberbullying," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 4(3), pages 353-370, September.
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    1. Cheryl Akinyi Margaret Genga & Sunday Samson Babalola, 2024. "Unveiling the Shadow of Workplace Cyberbullying in the Digital Age: A Call for Research in Africa," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-18, September.

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