Online Harms

CRIM72262 Online Harms 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Eon Kim Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This unit explores into the complexities of online harm by investigating the digital environments that foster harmful behaviours. Drawing on frameworks such as cyber victimology, routine activity theory, and radicalisation models, students will critically analyse how digital environments facilitate harmful behaviours and its impact. Alongside theoretical analysis, students will engage in practical, real-world research, using computational tools to analyse platforms like Reddit. This interdisciplinary approach equips students to understand, evaluate, and address the societal consequences of harmful online content through research-based interventions. This unit explores into the complexities of online harm by investigating the digital environments that foster harmful behaviours. Drawing on frameworks such as cyber victimology, routine activity theory, and radicalisation models, students will critically analyse how digital environments facilitate harmful behaviours and its impact. Alongside theoretical analysis, students will engage in practical, real-world research, using computational tools to analyse platforms like Reddit. This interdisciplinary approach equips students to understand, evaluate, and address the societal consequences of harmful online content through research-based interventions. The unit aims to: • Develop students’ understanding of the creation, dissemination, and impact of online misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and extremism.  • Analyse the mechanisms that drive the spread of problematic content across digital platforms. • Provide critical insights into the social, political, and technological forces shaping online information dynamics.  • Foster practical skills in computational methods for data analysis.  • Enable students to evaluate the societal consequences of these phenomena.  • Propose informed, evidence-based policy interventions to mitigate their harmful effects.   Explain the theoretical frameworks underpinning online harmful behaviours and their societal impact. Analyse the ethical and regulatory challenges in addressing online harms within a global context.   Assess the role of technological, social, and economic factors in shaping risks and harms in digital environments. Develop evidence-based arguments linking theoretical frameworks with practical approaches to mitigate online harms.   Apply computational tools to analyse online platforms and identify patterns of harmful behaviour. Synthesise findings from practical data exercises to develop insights for policy recommendations. Demonstrate effective use of digital resources to communicate research findings to diverse audiences, including policymakers and practitioners.   Collaborate effectively in analysing complex issues and presenting arguments through written and visual formats. Adapt analytical and communication skills to wider audiences, preparing for roles in policymaking, or research.   1. Understanding Online Harm • Understanding theoretical foundations, such as cyber victimology, routine activity theory and social learning, to interpret digital harms, and case study on their impact.  • Understanding to the evolving landscape of online harms, including emerging issues, such as AI-generated contents and international comparisons of online harms • Week 1: intro to key criminological theories that explain the mechanism of online harmful behaviours • Week 2: explore a real-word case studies on digital platforms to understand the scope, and it’s societal impact of online harms such as misinformation, harassment, extremism.2. mechanisms of digital harms • Investigating the role of digital platforms and algorithms in amplifying harmful content through practical exercises on platforms like Reddit. • Week 3: examination on how digital platform facilitate harmful content’s amplification • Week 4 - 5: workshop on computational methods, where students engage with data to identify patterns and mechanism.3. Ethics and regulation • Discussing ethical challenges of regulating online platforms focused on balancing freedom of expression and the regulation of harmful online content. • examining of global frameworks • Week 6: ethic seminars on freedom of speech and online harm regulation and exploring case law and recent police initiatives • Week 7: guest lectures discussing the challenges law enforcement face in regulating online platforms.4. Research and future intervention strategies •future directions in harm prevention and discussions on the effectiveness of current regulations and technologies. •discussions on innovative policy frameworks and the role of global governance in regulating digital platforms. • Week 8: critical reflection on finding from content analysis workshop and propose their own intervention strategies, seminar on emerging technologies (e.g., AI created contents, moderation) and policy framework for preventing online harms.   The unit consists of 2 hours of teaching each week, offering a mix of lectures, seminars, and workshops. •Lectures will introduce core theoretical concepts and frameworks on online harms through interactive methods, including multimedia learning resources, structured discussions, and polls (e.g., Menti) to engage students actively.  •Seminars will encourage discussion and critical engagement with the material, allowing students to explore concepts in depth. Activities will include pre- and post-seminar online discussions, case study analysis, and structured or guiding questions designed to prompt student engagement.  •Workshops will focus on practical, hands-on computational exercises, such as analysing Reddit data. These sessions will enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world cases through step-by-step analysis videos, mini exercises that link computational findings to theoretical frameworks, and activities supporting policy development.  •Preparatory Reading will underpin each session, with e-learning platforms providing additional materials and resources. Supplementary e-learning materials, including videos, readings, and interactive multimedia, will enhance and extend learning beyond synchronous sessions.   0 Other 100% Individual Policy Report (2000 words) - worth 70%;Individual A3 size Poster using PowerPoint or other visualisation tools (1000 words, depending on its design and layout) - worth 30%; Digital Trust, Society & Secur Digital Trust, Society & Secur PGDT Taught Component Mandatory Persily, N., Tucker, J. A., & Tucker, J. A. (Eds.). (2020). Social media and democracy: The state of the field, prospects for reform. Aïmeur, E., Amri, S., & Brassard, G. (2023). Fake news, disinformation and misinformation in social media: a review. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 13(1), 30.   0 0 0