An analysis of cyberbullying and hate speech in YouTube videos during the 2023 Presidential elections

Cyberbullying and hate speech are among the significant issues of the digital age. With the development of new technologies, these problems have become more pronounced. Digital communication environments, especially social media platforms, have become areas where cyberbullying and hate speech are widespread. This thesis aims to examine the phenomenon of online cyberbullying and hate speech directed at politicians in the digital age. The primary focus of this study is the relationship between hate speech and cyberbullying directed at politicians on the YouTube platform during election periods and processes of social polarization. The research aims to reveal the relationship between criticism of politicians in the online environment and cyberbullying and hate speech, and to understand the impact of this relationship on social polarization and online communication dynamics. To this end, YouTube videos featuring leaders of alliances representing three different political views during the Presidential elections from May 14, 2023, to May 28, 2023, were selected, and a total of 347 comments on six videos determined by purposive sampling were analyzed using content analysis methodology.