Editing Hate group (section)

==Internet hate groups==

Traditionally, hate groups recruited members and spread extremist messages by word of mouth, or through the distribution of [[flyer (pamphlet)|flyer]]s and pamphlets. In contrast, the [[Internet]] allows hate group members from all over the world to engage in [[Online chat|real-time conversation]]s.<ref name="Meddaugh and Kay 2009">Meddaugh and Kay (2009)</ref> The Internet has been a boon for hate groups in terms of promotion, recruitment and expansion of their base to include younger audiences.<ref>Schafer and Navarro (2002); Williamson and Pierson (2003)</ref> An Internet hate group does not have to be part of a traditional faction such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]].<ref>[http://www.ibiblio.org/nmediac/summer2012/Articles/obama_facebook.htm] Moody, M., "New Media-Same Stereotypes: An Analysis of Social Media Depictions of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama", 'The Journal of New Media & Culture'' (2012).]{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}''</ref>

While many hate sites are explicitly antagonistic or violent, others may appear patriotic or benign, and this façade may contribute to the appeal of the groups.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McNamee |first=L.G. |author2=Peterson, B.L. |author3=Pena, J. |title=A call to educate, participate, invoke, and indict: understanding the communication of online hate groups |journal=Communication Monographs |date=2010 |volume=77 |issue=2 |pages=257–80 |doi=10.1080/03637751003758227 |s2cid=143387827}}</ref> Hate group websites work towards the following goals: to educate group members and the public, to encourage participation, to claim a divine calling and privilege, and to accuse out-groups (e.g. the government or the media).  Groups that work effectively towards these goals via an online presence tend to strengthen their sense of identity, decrease the threat levels from out-groups, and recruit more new members.

The [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] (SWC), in its 2009 ''iReport'', identified more than 10,000 problematic hate and terrorist websites and other Internet postings. The report includes hate [[website]]s, [[social media|social networks]], [[blog]]s, [[newsgroup]]s, [[YouTube]] and other video sites. The findings illustrate that as the Internet continues to grow, extremists find new ways to seek validation of their hateful agendas and recruit members.

Creators of hate pages and groups on [[Facebook]] choose their target, set up their page or group, and then recruit members.<ref>Perry and Olsson (2009)</ref> Anyone can create a Facebook group and invite followers to post comments, add pictures and participate in discussion boards. A Facebook page is similar, with the exception that one must "[[like button|like]]" the page in order to become a member. Because of the ease of creating and joining such groups, many so-called hate groups exist only in [[cyberspace]].<ref name="Meddaugh and Kay 2009"/>
[[United Patriots Front]], an internet-based [[Australia]]n [[far-right]] [[anti-immigration]] and [[neo-nazi]] organization formed in 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/blair-cottrell-leader-of-aussie-patriots-upf-wanted-hitler-in-the-classroom-20151016-gkbbvz.html |title=New Aussie 'patriots' leader Blair Cottrell wanted Hitler in the classroom |first1=Michael |last1=Bachelard |author-link1=Michael Bachelard |first2=Luke |last2=McMahon |date=17 October 2015}}</ref> has been described as a hate group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/3361311/hostility-to-hit-albury/ |title=Hostility to hit Albury |first=Tahlia |last=McPherson |date=20 September 2015}}</ref>

{{See also|Filter bubble|Echo chamber (media)|Deviancy amplification spiral|Terrorism and social media}}